Question

undertone

Accepted Answer

un‧der‧tone /ˈʌndətəʊn $ -dərtoʊn/ noun [countable]
1a feeling or quality that is not directly expressed but can still be recognized → overtone
undertone of
There was an undertone of sadness in her letter.
Opponents claim the policy has racist undertones.
2 literary if you speak in an undertone, you speak quietly
in an undertone
‘Don’t be too upset if he doesn’t come,’ said Drew in an undertone.

Undertone Speak Un‧Der‧Tone ˈʌndətəʊn Dərtoʊn Noun Countable 1a