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undercurrent - 5 dictionary results

un⋅der⋅cur⋅rent

  [uhn-der-kur-uhnt, -kuhr-]
Use undercurrent in a Sentence
–noun
1. a tendency underlying or at variance with the obvious or superficial significance of words, actions, etc.: Even in his friendliest remarks, one could sense an undercurrent of hostility.
2. a current, as of air or water, that flows below the upper currents or surface.
Origin:
1675–85; under- + current
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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un·der·cur·rent   (ŭn'dər-kûr'ənt, -kŭr'-)   
n.  
  1. A current, as of air or water, below another current or beneath a surface.
  2. An underlying tendency, force, or influence often contrary to what is superficially evident; an intimation: "The Gaucho began to talk, calmly but with an undercurrent of passion" (Thomas Pynchon).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Undercurrent

Un"der*cur`rent\, n. 1. A current below the surface of water, sometimes flowing in a contrary direction to that on the surface. --Totten.

2. 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. --G. Eliot.

Undercurrent

Un"der*cur`rent\, a. Running beneath the surface; hidden. [R.] "Undercurrent woe." --Tennyson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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undercurrent 
1663, "stream of water or air flowing beneath the surface or beneath another current," a hybrid formed from under + current. The fig. sense of "suppressed or underlying character" is attested from 1817.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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