Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. An underwater current flowing strongly away from the shore, usually caused by the seaward return of water from waves that have broken against the shore.
- n. A tendency, especially in thought or feeling, contrary to what seems the strongest: "As she talks nostalgically of her days of glory . . . a poignant undertow emerges” ( Tina Brown).
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A current of water below the surface moving in a direction different from that of the surface-current; the backward flow or back-draft of a wave breaking on a beach. Sometimes called under-water.
Wiktionary
- n. a strong flow of water returning seaward from the shore.
- n. a feeling that runs contrary to one's normal one.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. The current that sets seaward near the bottom when waves are breaking upon the shore.
WordNet 3.0
- n. an inclination contrary to the strongest or prevailing feeling
- n. the seaward undercurrent created after waves have broken on the shore
Examples
“Only I'm still struggling against the current it seems. that damn undertow is a bitch, you know?”
Dru Blood - I believe in the inherent goodness of all beings: This Is For J.
“There is, in the easternmost fork of the Vingaard River, a sudden surge in the midstream current even more powerful than the steady undertow which is the constant bane of the rivermen and of those who foolishly try to cross.”
“I presume that this would be happening throughout the glacier so that, in equilibrium, the annual accumulation over the entire glacier net of surface sublimation would be balanced by a type of "undertow" delivery to the downslope tongue.”
“Titanic, and it seems that Minister Reith may be caught in a similar kind of undertow as a result of his inability to unhitch himself from Patrick, so when Chris sent me the words I was only too happy to include it in my growing collection.”
“Into the edge of one of these countercurrents, that was produced by the very rocks on which the schooner lay, and which the watermen call the "undertow," Dillon had, unknowingly, thrown his person; and when the waves had driven him a short distance from the wreck, he was met by a stream that his most desperate efforts could not overcome.”
“He appears to be entering a produc - play on the word "undertow," is the code word the tive stage in his career, with plans for three nov -”
“But if you know any other "undertow" songs I'd love to hear them.”
“i revisited "george washington" on television this morning and got to thinking about his new project. nice to know it's being well received, although this is the second straight movie that doesn't include his muse, paul schneider. i was disappointed with "undertow," which i think was done in by an out-of-place score by philip glass. music has always been central to DGG's movies; here's to the hope it will be better this time around.”
“The wonderful bacony undertow of salade liegeoise appeared in an unlikely langoustine course at a recent lunch at Bon-Bon.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘undertow’.
Louises See consciousness comments. Mar 25, 2012
lampbane "You can't fight the undertow
Not when you're all alone
You can't fight the undertow
How long 'til you let go?" Aug 29, 2008