underlay1

 

verb

Pronunciation: /ʌndəˈleɪ/
(past and past participle underlaid) [with object]
  • place something under (something else), especially to support or raise it: the green fields are underlaid with limestone the synth arpeggios start, underlaid by a lovely theme on bass

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈʌndəleɪ/
[mass noun]
  • 1something placed under or behind something else, especially material laid under a carpet for protection or support: providing the proper underlay gives the carpet extra life a polka-dot skirt with net underlay
  • 2 Music the manner in which the words are fitted to the notes of a piece of vocal music.

Origin:

Old English underlecgan (see under-, lay1)