underlay

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a pad placed under a carpet
  2. verb raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type
  3. verb put (something) under or beneath

Etymology

From Middle English underleyen, from Old English underleċġan (“to underlay, prop, support”), equivalent to under- + lay. Cognate with Dutch onderleggen (“to lay or put under”), German unterlegen (“to underlay”), Swedish underlägga (“to underlay”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

carpet pad, rug pad, underlayment

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