un·der·tone 
/ˈʌndɚˌtoʊn/ noun
plural un·der·tones /ˈʌndɚˌtoʊn/ noun [count] 1 : a low or quiet voice
▪ She commented in an undertone that the music was really not very good. 2 : a quality, meaning, etc., that is present but not clear or obvious
▪ The play is a comedy with dark undertones. — often + of ▪ There was an undertone [=hint, undercurrent] of fear throughout the city. 3 : a color that you can see in small amounts
▪ The fabric is a rich brown color with undertones of red.
▪ She commented in an undertone that the music was really not very good.
▪ The play is a comedy with dark undertones. — often + of ▪ There was an undertone [=hint, undercurrent] of fear throughout the city.
▪ The fabric is a rich brown color with undertones of red.
