Word forms: plural underlayspronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (ʌndəʳleɪ). The verb is pronounced (ʌndəʳleɪ).
1. variable noun
Underlay is a layer of thick material that you place between a carpet and the floor to protect the carpet and make it feel warmer and softer.
[British]
2.
Underlay is the past tense of underlie.
underlay in British English
verb (ˌʌndəˈleɪ)Word forms: -lays, -laying or -laid(transitive)
1.
to place (something) under or beneath
2.
to support by something laid beneath
3.
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 (ˈʌndəˌleɪ)
4.
a layer, lining, support, etc, laid underneath something else
5. printing
material, such as paper, used to underlay a forme or block
6.
felt, rubber, etc, laid beneath a carpet to increase insulation and resilience
underlay in American English1
(ˌʌndərˈleɪ; for n. ˈʌndərˌleɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌunderˈlaid or ˌunderˈlaying
1.
to cover, line, or extend over the bottom of
the leather is underlaid with felt
2.
to lay (something) under something else, esp. as a support, wedge, etc.
3.
to raise or support with something laid underneath
the roof must be underlaid with trusses
4. Printing
to provide with an underlay
noun
5.
something laid underneath
6. Printing
a patch or patches of paper laid under type, cuts, etc. to raise the level of the face
Word origin
ME underlein < OE underlecgan
underlay in American English2
(ˌʌndərˈleɪ)
verb transitive
pt. of
underlie
Examples of 'underlay' in a sentence
underlay
This was especially true of life, of the logical form that underlay all life.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (1995)
Isabel made her voice light, but Amy heard all the anxiety and longing that underlay it.
Thomas, Rosie THE WHITE DOVE (1995)
They said that hidden subterranean lakes underlay the Vinkus region, that water resources there could serve the whole of Oz.
Gregory Maguire WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST (1995)