(adj) being or involving basic facts or principles, Syn. underlying, rudimentary, Example:the fundamental laws of the universe; a fundamental incomatibility between them; these rudimentary truths; underlying principles
(adj) in the nature of something though not readily apparent, Syn. underlying, inherent, Example:shortcomings inherent in our approach; an underlying meaning
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
[り, ri] (n) (1) reason; principle; logic; (2) { Buddh } (See 事・じ) general principle (as opposed to individual concrete phenomenon); (3) (in neo-Confucianism) the underlying principles of the cosmos; (P)#3287
[つきとめる, tsukitomeru] (v1, vt) to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to make sure; to locate; to identify; to find out; to ascertain