undercast

American  

[uhn-der-kast, -kahst] / ˈʌn dərˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

noun

1. Mining. a crossing of two passages, as airways, dug at the same level so that one descends to pass beneath the other without any opening into it.

2. Meteorology. an overcast layer of clouds viewed from above.

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Etymology

Origin of undercast

First recorded in 1880–85; under- + cast

Example Sentences

In its first-ever performances here, Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment” was undercast.

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2015

The supporting actors are all fine, if occasionally undercast.

From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2013

She has always been a good actor but has often been slightly undercast, playing to the natural strengths of her distinctive crackling voice and witty face: she is a shoo-in for any Restoration drama.

From The Guardian • Jun. 1, 2013

There's a black cloud of smoke coming up through the undercast.

From Time Magazine Archive

By noon the sky was heavily overcast, and an hour later undercast as well.

From The Mountains of Oregon by Steel, William Gladstone