underspeaking

Verb

underspeak (third-person singular simple present underspeaks, present participle underspeaking, simple past underspoke, past participle underspoken)

1. To speak with understatement and/or modesty.
   • Dentists often underspeak and therefore underrate dental conditions. Patients interpret these words to mean there is no problem, only to be surprised later when they learn treatment will be required.2002, Dental Economics - Volume 92, Issues 7-12, page 46
2. To fail to say enough; to be too taciturn.
   • By a remarkable analysis of what he called Churchill's "peculiar gift of overwriting and underspeaking," Burton also managed to leave us — as after one of Sir Winston's own speeches — with a feeling of love and of thanks for the privilege of living in the same age with Churchill.1965, TV Guide, page 33
3. To speak without sufficient emphasis or volume.
   • She was obviously nervous, and consequently underacted and underspoke her part several times ; yet, with her musical speech and natural manner, she should be a considerable acquisition to the company.1912, The Academy and Literature - Volume 83, page 25
4. To speak at the same time as and more quietly than another.
   • Today subliminal messages are sent by “underspeaking" on television, radio, and records and “invisigraph" (invisible messages) on printed ads.1985, Richard G. Lazar, Menahem Davyd Lazar, Beyond 1984: The Vassar Symposium, page 63

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