UNDERCURRENT • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • 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

... past into the house. Miss Rosetta composedly stepped into the cab and drove to the station. She fairly bridled with triumph; and underneath the triumph ran a queer undercurrent of satisfaction over the fact that Charlotte had spoken to her at last. Miss Rosetta would not look at this satisfaction, or give it a name, but ...

— Further Chronicles of Avonlea • Lucy Maud Montgomery

... dangerous as a coward. There is nothing so dangerous as ignorance. The New Englander had heard much of Gotham's undercurrent and the brawls so prevalent there. He had heard and feared. He had looked for them, fascination in his fear, but till the present had never experienced one. He had heard that sporting men carried guns and were quick to use them; that when the lie was passed it meant the hospital or the morgue. ...

— Garrison's Finish - A Romance of the Race-Course • W. B. M. Ferguson

... claim his bride. In the earlier part of the play, a hint is given of Gonzales' rancorous hate of Laval, the undercurrent of which is now revealed. Gonzales, beneath the seal of confession, obtains the secret of the crime of Francoise. In her presence, as the betrothed Laval rushes to embrace his bride, he taunts him ...

— The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 19. Issue 539 - 24 Mar 1832 • Various

... undercurrent of tension in the Ingleside existence for several days. Only Rilla, absorbed in her own budding life, was unaware of it. Dr. Blythe had taken to looking grave and saying little over the daily paper. Jem and Walter were keenly interested in ...

— Rilla of Ingleside • Lucy Maud Montgomery

... escape of the King from assassination, followed by his excommunication from the Church, worked a curious effect on the minds of the populace, who were somewhat bewildered and uncertain as to the possible undercurrent of political meaning flowing beneath the conjunction of these two events; and their feelings were intensified by the announcement that the youth who had attempted the monarch's life,— being proved as suffering from hereditary brain disease,—had received a free pardon, and was ...

— Temporal Power • Marie Corelli

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