undertow

views updated May 18 2018

un·der·tow / ˈəndərˌtō/ • n. a current below the surface of the sea moving in the opposite direction to the surface current, esp. away from the shore: I was swept away by the undertow. ∎ fig. an implicit quality, emotion, or influence underlying the superficial aspects of something and leaving a particular impression: there's a dark undertow of loss that links the novel with earlier works.

undertow

views updated May 08 2018

undertow The general seaward flow of water beneath individual breaking waves, in contrast to the more localized rip-current return flow.

undertow

views updated Jun 27 2018

undertow The general seaward flow of water beneath individual breaking waves, in contrast to the more localized rip current return flow.