Underlying
WordNet
adjective
(1) In the nature of something though not readily apparent
"Shortcomings inherent in our approach"
"An underlying meaning"
(2) Being or involving basic facts or principles
"The fundamental laws of the universe"
"A fundamental incomatibility between them"
"These rudimentary truths"
"Underlying principles"
(3) Located beneath or below
WiktionaryText
Adjective
- lying underneath
- We dug down to the underlying rock.
- basic or fundamental
- Points and straight lines are underlying elements of geometry.
- implicit
- Many nursery rhymes have an underlying meaning.