Definition of "understory" []

• An underlying layer of vegetation, especially the plants that grow beneath a forest's canopy. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Many palm species, and a rich and diverse understory is a characteristic of these jungles."
• "It includes a bit of semolina which both adds gluten and a thin understory of crunch that's appealing in savory dishes and I suspect, some fruity pies like apple."
• "Cutting out the vegetative understory, which is what the town wants, removes some of that protection."