UNDERTONE

undertone, tinge

(noun) a pale or subdued color

undertone, undercurrent

(noun) a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning

undertone

(noun) a quiet or hushed tone of voice; “spoke in undertones”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

undertone (countable and uncountable, plural undertones)

An auditory tone of low pitch or volume.

An implicit message perceived subtly alongside, but not detracting noticeably from, the explicit message conveyed in or by a book, film, verbal dialogue or similar (contrast with overtone); an undercurrent.

Antonym: overtone

A pale colour, or one seen underneath another colour.

A low state of the physical faculties.

Verb

undertone (third-person singular simple present undertones, present participle undertoning, simple past and past participle undertoned)

To accompany as an undertone.

To say or speak in an undertone.

To present as less important, noticeable or prominent.

Synonyms

• (present as less important): de-emphasize, downplay

Antonyms

• (present as less important): accent, accentuate

Anagrams

• undernote

Source: Wiktionary


Un"der*tone`, n.

Definition: A low or subdued tone or utterance; a tone less loud than usual.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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