underlay — English Dictionary

Verb

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

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   We underlaid the carpet with felt.

2. To provide a support for something; to raise or support by something laid under.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to underlay a cut, plate, or the like, for printing

3. To put a tap on (a shoe).

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To incline from the vertical.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive
   • of a vein

   Synonyms

   hade

Noun

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. A soft floor covering that lies under a carpet.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Anything that is underlaid.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Historical
   • Uncountable

5. Lyrics; or more specifically, the way in which lyrics are assigned to musical notes.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The underlay in bar 3 is unclear in Handel's manuscript.

Noun

1. a pad placed under a carpet

   Synonyms

   carpet padrug padunderlayment

   Broader terms

   pad

Verb

1. raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type

   Broader terms

   raiseliftelevateget upbring up

   Examples

   underlay the plate

2. put (something) under or beneath

   Broader terms

   putsetplaceposepositionlay

   Examples

   They underlaid the shingles with roofing paper

3. provide with a base, support, lining, or backing

   Broader terms

   providesupplyplycater

   Examples

   underlay the boards with joists