undertone

英 [ˈʌndətəʊn]

美 [ˈʌndərtoʊn]

n.  蕴涵的感情(或特质、意思); 寓意; 弦外之音

复数：undertones　第三人称单数：undertones　

BNC.18589 / COCA.18524

习惯用语

n.

in an undertonein undertones
• 低声地；小声地
  in a quiet voice

牛津词典

noun

• 蕴涵的感情（或特质、意思）；寓意；弦外之音
  a feeling, quality or meaning that is not expressed directly but is still noticeable from what sb says or does
  1. His soft words contained an undertone of warning.
     他温和的话中蕴涵着警告之意。
  2. The play does not have the political undertones of the novel.
     这部戏没有小说的那种政治寓意。

柯林斯词典

• N-COUNT 低声；悄声
  If you say somethinginanundertone, you say it very quietly.
  1. 'What d'you think?' she asked in an undertone...
     “你觉得怎么样？”她小声地问道。
  2. Well-dressed clients were talking in polite undertones as they ate.
     衣着光鲜的顾客们边吃边斯文地低声聊着天。
• N-COUNT 言下之意；寓意
  If something hasundertonesof a particular kind, it suggests ideas or attitudes of this kind without expressing them directly.
  1. The sobbing voice had an undertone of anger.
     啜泣声中隐隐透着愤怒。
  2. ...a witty, racy story with surprisingly serious undertones.
     诙谐却寓意深刻的荤段子

英英释义

noun

• a pale or subdued color
  Synonym:tinge
• a subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance
  Synonym:undercurrent
• a quiet or hushed tone of voice
  1. spoke in undertones

双语例句

• Most people should use a blush with a slight brown undertone for best results. Blushes with red undertones can actually make the face look heavier than it is.
  大部分人都会用点腮红来衬托肤色。然而往往腮红会让脸看起来比较臃肿。
• Marks a unique air, undertone and attitude towards the life
  是一种空间、是一种气息、是一种生活的态度
• If you're fair-skinned, go for a shade of dress that is more pink or peach in its undertone.
  如果你是浅白肤色，就穿一条底色以粉色或桃红色为主的礼服。
• Though her expression was serious, her voice had an undertone of amusement.
  虽然她表面镇静，但声音里却流露出喜悦。
• Well-dressed clients were talking in polite undertones as they ate.
  衣着光鲜的顾客们边吃边斯文地低声聊着天。
• The noise occultation was significant, and the undertone was the easiest one to be occulted.
  噪音对信号的掩蔽作用显著，其中低音最易被掩蔽。
• It is the thought of sin that will keep you low at His feet, and give the deep undertone to all your adoration.
  就是因为想到罪，才使你低声俯伏在他脚前，深深地降服敬拜他。
• 'What d'you think?' she asked in an undertone
  “你觉得怎么样？”她小声地问道。
• Hung-chien and his wife heard it all very clearly and blushed simultaneously, but could not easily refute it, since wen-wan's question was spoken in an undertone as though not meant for their ears.
  鸿渐夫妇全听清了，脸同时发红，可是不便驳答，因为文纨问的声音低得似乎不准备给他们听见。
• A remark made in an undertone so as to be inaudible to others nearby.
  窃窃私语小声说出以不让旁边其他人听到的话。