tone : Idioms & Phrases

• noun a type of serial music introduced by Arnold Schoenberg; uses a tone row formed by the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale (and inverted or backward versions of the row)
  12-tone music; 12-tone system; twelve-tone music.
  

WordNet

• noun a type of serial music introduced by Arnold Schoenberg; uses a tone row formed by the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale (and inverted or backward versions of the row)
  12-tone music; 12-tone system; twelve-tone music.
  

WordNet

• noun the lower ranges of the voice in speaking or singing
  chest voice; chest register.
  

WordNet

• (Mus.), the naturel harmonics or overtones of stringed instruments.

Webster 1913

• noun the higher ranges of the voice in speaking or singing; the vibrations of sung notes are felt in the head
  head register; head voice.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite pretentiously elegant
  high-class.
  
  • a high-toned restaurant

WordNet

High"-toned` adjective

Definitions

1. High in tone or sound.
2. Elevated; high-principled; honorable.

   In whose high-toned impartial mind Degrees of mortal rank and state Seem objects of indifferent weight. Sir W. Scott.

   3. pretentious, pompous.

Webster 1913

Key" tone`

Definitions

1. (Mus.) See Keynote.

Webster 1913

• noun (music) the seventh note of the diatonic scale
  subtonic.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite very low in volume
  low.
  
  • a low murmur
  • the low-toned murmur of the surf

WordNet

• noun normal tonicity of the muscles
  muscular tonus.
  
  • exercise improves muscle tone

WordNet

• noun a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
  partial tone; partial; overtone.
  

WordNet

• noun a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
  partial tone; partial; overtone.
  

WordNet

• (Music), the simple tones which in combination form an ordinary tone; the overtones, or harmonics, which, blending with a fundamental tone, cause its special quality of sound, or timbre, or tone color. See, also, Tone.

Webster 1913

• noun a nonharmonic note inserted for transition between harmonic notes
  passing note.
  

WordNet

• (Mus.), a tone introduced between two other tones, on an unaccented portion of a measure, for the sake of smoother melody, but forming no essential part of the harmony.

Webster 1913

• noun a steady sound without overtones
  tone.
  
  • they tested his hearing with pure tones of different frequencies

WordNet

• noun half of a semitone
  quarter tone.
  

WordNet

• noun half of a semitone
  quarter tone.
  

WordNet

• (Mus.), the major seventh note of any scale; so called because, being but a half step below the octave, or key tone, and naturally leading up to that, it makes the ear sensible of its approaching sound. Called also the leading tone.

Webster 1913

Tar*ti"ni's tones`

Etymology

From Tartini, an Italian violinist, who discovered them in 1754.

Definitions

1. See the Note under Tone.

Webster 1913

• . (a) To cause to give lower tone or sound; to give a lower tone to. (b) (Paint.) To modify, as color, by making it less brilliant or less crude; to modify, as a composition of color, by making it more harmonius.

  Its thousand hues toned down harmoniusly. C. Kingsley.

  (c) Fig.: To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften.

  The best method for the purpose in hand was to employ some one of a character and position suited to get possession of their confidence, and then use it to tone down their religious strictures. Palfrey.

Webster 1913

• to cause to give a higher tone or sound; to give a higher tone to; to make more intense; to heighten; to strengthen.

Webster 1913

• noun mechanical device consisting of a light balanced arm that carries the cartridge
  pickup arm; pickup.
  

WordNet

• . (Mus.) see the Note under def. 4, above.

Webster 1913

• noun an inability to distinguish differences in pitch
  tin ear.
  

WordNet

• verb deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
  dampen; mute; muffle; damp; dull.
  
• verb make less strong or intense; soften
  moderate; tame.
  
  • Tone down that aggressive letter
  • The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements

WordNet

• noun (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone
  release.
  

WordNet

• noun a language in which different tones distinguish different meanings
  tonal language.
  

WordNet

• noun the quality of a person's voice
  tone.
  
  • he began in a conversational tone
  • he spoke in a nervous tone of voice

WordNet

• noun an orchestral composition based on literature or folk tales
  symphonic poem.
  

WordNet

• an accented syllable. M. Stuart.

Webster 1913

• noun the system of tones used in a particular language or dialect of a tone language
  tonal system.
  

WordNet

• verb give a healthy elasticity to
  strengthen; tone.
  
  • Let's tone our muscles

WordNet

• noun a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
  attack.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite unable to appreciate music
  

WordNet

• noun a type of serial music introduced by Arnold Schoenberg; uses a tone row formed by the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale (and inverted or backward versions of the row)
  12-tone music; 12-tone system; twelve-tone music.
  

WordNet

• noun a type of serial music introduced by Arnold Schoenberg; uses a tone row formed by the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale (and inverted or backward versions of the row)
  12-tone music; 12-tone system; twelve-tone music.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite used of music
  

WordNet

• noun a musical interval of two semitones
  whole step; step; tone.
  

WordNet