overtone

== English == === Etymology === From over- +‎ tone, calque of German Oberton. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˈoʊvɚtoʊn/ (UK) IPA(key): /ˈəʊ.və.təʊn/ === Noun === overtone (plural overtones) (physics, music) A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series. [from 1867] (figuratively, often in the plural) An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived as overwhelming the explicit message. [from 1890] Antonym: undertone An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived subtly alongside, but not overwhelming, the explicit message. Synonyms: undertone, undercurrent ==== Derived terms ==== overtone singing ==== Translations ==== === Verb === overtone (third-person singular simple present overtones, present participle overtoning, simple past and past participle overtoned) (transitive) To give an overtone to. === References === === Further reading === overtone on Wikipedia.Wikipedia