OVERTONE

overtone, partial, partial tone

(noun) a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency

overtone

(noun) (usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality; “overtones of despair”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

overtone (plural overtones)

(physics, music) A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series. [from 1867]

(figuratively, often, in plural) An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion or similar) perceived as overwhelming the explicit message. [from 1890]

Antonym: undertone

Verb

overtone (third-person singular simple present overtones, present participle overtoning, simple past and past participle overtoned)

(transitive) To give an overtone to.

Source: Wiktionary

O"ver*tone`, n. Etym: [A translation of G. oberton. See Over,Tone.] (Mus.)

Definition: One of the harmonics faintly heard with and above a tone as it dies away, produced by some aliquot portion of the vibrating sting or column of air which yields the fundamental tone; one of the natural harmonic scale of tones, as the octave, twelfth, fifteenth, etc.; an aliquot or "partial" tone; a harmonic. See Harmonic, and Tone. Tyndall.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition