underlying

un·der·ly·ing  (ndr-lng)

adj.

1. Lying under or beneath something: underlying strata.

2. Basic; fundamental.

3. Present but not obvious; implicit: an underlying meaning.

4. Taking precedence; prior: an underlying financial claim.

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underlying

Adjective

1. not obvious but detectable: the deeper and underlying aim of her travels

2. fundamental; basic: an underlying belief

3. lying under: the underlying layers of the skin

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	underlying - in the nature of something though not readily apparent; "shortcomings inherent in our approach"; "an underlying meaning" implicit in, inherent implicit, inexplicit - implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something; "an implicit agreement not to raise the subject"; "there was implicit criticism in his voice"; "anger was implicit in the argument"; "the oak is implicit in the acorn"
	2.	underlying - located beneath or below             subjacent - lying nearby but lower; "hills and subjacent valleys"
	3.	underlying - being or involving basic facts or principles; "the fundamental laws of the universe"; "a fundamental incomatibility between them"; "these rudimentary truths"; "underlying principles" rudimentary, fundamental basic - pertaining to or constituting a base or basis; "a basic fact"; "the basic ingredients"; "basic changes in public opinion occur because of changes in priorities"

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underlying

adjective 1. fundamental, basic, essential, root, prime, primary, radical, elementary, intrinsic, basal

adjective 2. hidden, concealed, lurking, veiled, latent