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Definition of: underlie
(un′dər·lī′) v.t. ·lay, ·lain, ·ly·ing
1. To lie below or under.
2. To be the ground or support of: the principle that underlies a scheme.
3. To constitute a first or prior claim or lien over: A first mortgage underlies a second.
4. To be subject, answerable, or liable to. [OE underlicgan]
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