un·der·tone

[uhn-der-tohn]
noun
1.
a low or subdued tone: to speak in undertones.
2.
an unobtrusive or background sound: an undertone of static from the receiver.
3.
an underlying quality or element; undercurrent: There was an undertone of regret in his refusal.
4.
a subdued color; a color modified by an underlying color.
Origin:
1800–10; under- + tone

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Undertone is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
undertone (ˈʌndəˌtəʊn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  a quiet or hushed tone of voice
2.  an underlying tone or suggestion in words or actions: his offer has undertones of dishonesty
3.  a pale or subdued colour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

undertone
1762, "low or subdued tone," from under + tone. Fig. sense of "undercurrent of feelings, etc.," is attested from 1861.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The pipeline project has always had a strong geopolitical undertone.
Shea's style combines a briskly practical surface with a lyrical undertone.
The market on white meat is steady with a weak undertone noted.
Feed grade soybeans were steady with a higher undertone.
Related Words
connotation
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