undertow
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un·der·tow
(ŭn′dər-tō′)n.
1. An underwater current flowing strongly away from shore, usually caused by the seaward return of water from waves that have broken against the shore.
2. 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).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
undertow
(ˈʌndəˌtəʊ)n
1. (Physical Geography) the seaward undercurrent following the breaking of a wave on the beach
2. (Physical Geography) any strong undercurrent flowing in a different direction from the surface current
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•der•tow
(ˈʌn dərˌtoʊ)n.
1. the seaward, subsurface flow of water from waves breaking on a beach.
2. any strong subsurface current, moving in a direction different from that of the surface current.
[1810–20]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
un·der·tow
(ŭn′dər-tō′) An underwater current flowing strongly away from shore. Undertows are generally caused by the seaward return of water from waves that have broken against the shore.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | undertow - an inclination contrary to the strongest or prevailing feeling; "his account had a poignant undertow of regret" inclination - that toward which you are inclined to feel a liking; "her inclination is for classical music" |
2. | undertow - the seaward undercurrent created after waves have broken on the shore undertide, undercurrent - a current below the surface of a fluid |
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