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Definition of overtone noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

overtone

noun
 
/ˈəʊvətəʊn/
 
/ˈəʊvərtəʊn/
[usually plural]
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  1. an attitude or an emotion that is suggested and is not expressed in a direct way
    • There were political overtones to the point he was making.
    compare undertone
    Extra Examples
    • The word ‘cheap’ has negative overtones.
    • a play with strong religious overtones
    • His message had clear racist overtones.
    • The term carries unfortunate overtones of separateness and aloneness.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • strong
    • serious
    • negative
    verb + overtone
    • carry
    • have
    • take on
    See full entry
    Word Originmid 19th cent.: from over- + tone, suggested by German Oberton.
See overtone in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
buttercup
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