| 单词 | underlying |
| 释义 | underlying (once / 945 pages) adj The obvious meaning of underlying refers to something beneath something else. But the word carries a more subtle meaning, that of something hidden but important, something that shapes the meaning or effect of something else, without being explicit itself. Consider the adjective underlying as referring to a "subtext," which is something hidden. An example is sarcasm, when a person says one thing but means the opposite. In theater, an actor develops subtext for his or her character to establish an underlying reason for what that character says and does. Life is full of underlying reasons we do things. Worry over a grandparent's illness might be the underlying reason a child fails a test. (Then again, maybe she just didn't study.) WORD FAMILYunderlie: underlain, underlies, underlying+/liar: liars/lie: lain, liar, lied, lies, lying, overlie, underlie/lied: lieder, lieds/lying: lyings/overlie: overlain, overlies, overlying USAGE EXAMPLESThe underlying absurdity of those shows was redoubled through his lens, occasionally in the form of magical realism. Salon(Jan 02, 2017) But it would appear that a lack of demand is the underlying narrative from toy firms in the UK. BBC(Jan 01, 2017) Yet he also sustains an underlying sense of tension, revealing a deeper musical structure that evokes an ever-intensifying spiritual struggle. Washington Post(Dec 29, 2016) 1adj in the nature of something though not readily apparent an underlying meaning Syn implicit in, inherent implicit, inexplicit implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something 2adj being or involving basic facts or principles underlying principles Syn fundamental, rudimentary basic pertaining to or constituting a base or basis 3adj located beneath or below Syn subjacent lying nearby but lower |
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