UNDERCURRENT • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Undercurrent

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/ˈəndərkˌərənt/ Listen

noun

Undercurrent n.

A current below the surface of water, sometimes flowing in a contrary direction to that on the surface.

Hence, figuratively, a tendency of feeling, opinion, or the like, in a direction contrary to what is publicly shown; an unseen influence or tendency; as, a strong undercurrent of sentiment in favor of a prisoner. "All the while there was a busy undercurrent in her."

adjective

Undercurrent adj. Running beneath the surface; hidden. (R.) "Undercurrent woe."

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Etymology of 'Undercurrent'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Undercurrent" Quotes from Famous Books

... imminent, the American effaced himself. Other men in the hotel were not like that—they rather sought the great man's company. She wondered if Bower had noticed it. Despite his candid, almost generous, disclaimer of motive, there was an undercurrent of hostility in his words that suggested a feeling of pique. She climbed the rocky path in silence until ...

— The Silent Barrier • Louis Tracy

... sense of metrical values. We are sure that the defective second line is the fault of the printer rather than of the author. "The Blind Prince," by Henriette Ziegfeld, is an excellent juvenile tale involving a fairy story. The only serious objection is the undercurrent of adult comment which flows through the narrative. Particularly cynical is the closing sentence: "'And here's Mother,' finished poor Auntie with a sigh of relief." The ordinary fairy stories told to children are bits of actual ...

— Writings in the United Amateur, 1915-1922 • Howard Phillips Lovecraft

... Conne, of the United States Secret Service, had come over from Liverpool via Dover on a blind quest after an elusive spy. There had been a sort of undercurrent of rumor, with many extravagant trappings, that a mysterious agent of the Kaiser was on his way to Europe with secrets of a most important character. Some stories had it that he was intimately related to Bloody ...

— Tom Slade Motorcycle Dispatch Bearer • Percy Keese Fitzhugh

... woods and turned into a broad country lane. Both had forgotten the proposed trip to "The Glen," but it made no difference. At last the undercurrent of feeling ...

— The Right Knock - A Story • Helen Van-Anderson

... a little later with everything in the pantry spread before him. His voice, gay and charming, sounded as if he had liked Hannah for a very long time. And Hannah's best lamp was on the table. There was a pleasant undercurrent of excitement in the kitchen. Joan found her guest's engaging air of adaptability bewildering. He seemed ...

— Kenny • Leona Dalrymple

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