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to underlie
01
to serve as the foundation or primary cause for something
Transitive: to underlie an abstract entity
Examples
Cultural traditions underlie many of the festivals and celebrations we see around the world.
Historical events underlie the national holidays of many countries.
02
to be positioned below or beneath something
Transitive: to underlie a physical entity
Examples
Coral reefs underlie the clear blue waters, home to a diverse marine ecosystem.
Layers of ash underlie the soil, evidence of ancient volcanic activity.
Lexical Tree
underlie
lie
