underlying /ˌʌndəˈlaiiŋ/ adj. 1.含蓄的，潜在的：An underlying uncertainty made him act in a  nervous manner. 潜在的不确定因素使他们行动有些紧张。［考句］ Franklin argued that the depression stemmed from the American economy’s underlying flaws.夫兰克林认为大萧条的根源在于美国经济潜在的缺陷。2.在下面的: Underlying magazines are old ones. 下面的杂志都是旧的。