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Undertow

noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A short-range flow of water returning seaward from the waves breaking on the shore.

    "A strong undertow may sweep a returning swimmer off their feet but it does not carry them far from the shore."

  2. 2
    the seaward undercurrent created after waves have broken on the shore wordnet
  3. 3
    A feeling that runs contrary to one's normal one. broadly
  4. 4
    an inclination contrary to the strongest or prevailing feeling wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To pull or tow under; drag beneath; pull down. transitive

    "Off in a gallop the General wheeled vanishing, And sped his steed away into the blue, When Lineoln now alone let go his speech Which had before been undertowed by force, [...]"

  2. 2
    To pull down by, or as by, an undertow. transitive

    "A sense that the air, a sighting of muddy river, or that outcrop of rock so implacably bland in the light of midday, is undertowed by memory."

  3. 3
    To flow or behave as an undertow. intransitive

    "Everybody knows this and acts accordingly; but when you say it, it sounds bad and bold, and makes you uncomfortable to hear it, because the puritan blood is still undertowing in your veins."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From under- + tow.

Etymology 2

From under- + tow.

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