undertone

English

noun
Definitions
  • 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 (overtone)); an undercurrent.
  • A pale colour, or one seen underneath another colour.
  • A low state of the physical faculties.

Etymology

Prefix from English tone.

Origin

English

tone

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms