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undercurrent
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As a noun, undercurrent means a current of water which flows under the surface, and often in a different direction from surface currents. As a verb, it means flow under some surface.
Meanings of undercurrent
4 meaningsnoun
A current of water which flows under the surface, and often in a different direction from surface currents.
figurativelyA tendency of feeling or opinion that is concealed rather than exposed.
“The meeting was pervaded with an undercurrent of dread, as the managers tried not to admit that firings were looming.”
A subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning
Similar: undertone
verb
also figurativelyTo flow under some surface.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).