undertone
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++un·der·tone /ˈʌndətəʊn $ -dərtoʊn/ noun [countable] 1 SEEMa feeling or quality that is not directly expressed but can still be recognized 潜在的情感[特质]；含意 → overtoneundertone of There was an undertone of sadness in her letter. 她的信中流露出忧伤的情绪。 Opponents claim the policy has racist undertones. 反对者声称那项政策有种族歧视意味。2 QUIET literary if you speak in an undertone, you speak quietly 小声，低声in an undertone ‘Don’t be too upset if he doesn’t come, ’ said Drew in an undertone. “如果他不来你也不要太难过。”德鲁小声说道。
Examples from the Corpus
undertone• Balanced it was not, with acidic undertones so evident that it was hard to swallow.• In the prevailing hush of the room, it had an especially clumsy ring, an undertone of impermanence.• The darkness and space made us all speak in undertones.• a story with racist undertones• It is most definitely a thriller, but with strong romantic undertones.• With him, it's that certain words have terribly strong undertones.• He disregarded the Navigator's diminution of his name, perhaps sensing the undertone, this time, of almost fond indebtedness.• There was an unmistakable undertone of nationalist resentment in many of their remarks.• A pleasant floral aroma with woody undertones this tasted like a very dry pale sherry with bubbles which had a tannic aftertaste.undertone of• There was an undertone of excitement among the passengers.in an undertone• I pointed out to Sherlock in an undertone.• The darkness and space made us all speak in undertones.un·der·tone nounChineseSyllable
but Corpus can expressed directly feeling or a not that is quality
undertone
un‧der‧tone /ˈʌndətəʊn $ -dərtoʊn/
noun [countable]
1. a feeling or quality that is not directly expressed but can still be recognized ⇨ overtone
undertone of
There was an undertone of sadness in her letter.
Opponents claim the policy has racist undertones.
2. literary if you speak in an undertone, you speak quietly
in an undertone
‘Don’t be too upset if he doesn’t come,’ said Drew in an undertone.
un‧der‧tone /ˈʌndətəʊn $ -dərtoʊn/
noun [countable]1. a feeling or quality that is not directly expressed but can still be recognized ⇨ overtone
undertone of
2. literary if you speak in an undertone, you speak quietly
in an undertone
