Definition of "underlay"

simple past of underlie  examples

(transitive) To lay (something) underneath something else; to put under.  examples

(transitive) To provide a support for something; to raise or support by something laid under.  examples

(transitive) To put a tap on (a shoe).  examples

(mining, transitive, intransitive, of a vein, fault, or lode) To incline from the vertical.  examples

A layer (of earth, etc.) that lies under another; substratum.  examples

A soft floor covering that lies under a carpet.  examples

Anything that is underlaid.  examples

(printing, historical) A piece of paper pasted under woodcuts, stereotype plates, etc. in a form, to bring them up to the necessary level for printing.

(music) Lyrics; or more specifically, the way in which lyrics are assigned to musical notes.  examples