underlay

[ verb uhn-der-ley; noun uhn-der-ley ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

underlaid, underlaying.

to lay under or beneath.
to provide with something laid underneath; raise or support with something laid underneath:
The manufacturer underlays the chrome finish with a zinc coating.
to extend across the bottom of.

noun

something underlaid.
Printing. a piece or pieces of paper put under type or cuts to bring them to the proper height for printing.

underlay

verb

to place (something) under or beneath
to support by something laid beneath
to achieve the correct printing pressure all over (a forme block) or to bring (a block) up to type height by adding material, such as paper, to the appropriate areas beneath it

noun

a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else
printing material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block
felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of underlay¹

before 900; Middle English underleyen, Old English underlecgan; under-, lay ¹

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I was excited to get back to the medicine because it’s a kind of performance that is totally integrated — it’s physical, it’s intellectual, it’s emotional, it’s professional, underlaying humanity and reality to it.

From

A key scene comes toward the end, when Sister Mary invites Bill in and they have what appears to be a mundane discussion but one that is underlaid with a threat.

From

It is more breathable but is often installed where a highly-resistant underlay like bitumen felt is already present, stopping vapour from escaping.

From

California created an orchard for the world in large part by tapping into prehistoric aquifers that underlay the Central Valley.

From

The turf was intended to function as an underlay for a plastic liner atop it as part of a construction project.

From

underlap underlayer

Browse