təun n. & v. --n. 1 a
musical or
vocal sound,
esp.
with reference to
its pitch,
quality,
and strength. 2 (often in pl.) modulation of
the voice expressing a
particular feeling or mood (a
cheerful tone;
suspicious tones). 3 a
manner of
expression in
writing. 4 Mus. a a musical sound, esp. of a
definite pitch and
character. b an
interval of a
major second, e.g. C-D. 5 a the
general effect of
colour or of
light and
shade in a
picture. b the
tint or shade of a colour. 6 a the prevailing character of the morals and sentiments etc. in a
group. b an
attitude or
sentiment expressed esp. in a
letter etc. 7 the
proper firmness of
bodily organs. 8 a
state of
good or specified
health or quality. 9 Phonet. a an
accent on
one syllable of a
word. b a
way of pronouncing a word to
distinguish it
from others of a
similar sound (Mandarin
Chinese has four tones). --v. 1 tr.
give the desired tone
to. 2 tr.
modify the tone
of. 3 intr. (often foll. by to)
attune. 4 intr. (foll. by with) be in
harmony (esp. of colour) (does
not tone with the wallpaper). 5 tr. Photog. give (a
monochrome picture) an altered colour in finishing by
means of a
chemical solution. 6 intr.
undergo a
change in colour by toning. øtone-arm the
movable arm supporting the pick-up of a record-player. tone
control a
switch for varying the
proportion of
high and low frequencies in reproduced sound. tone-deaf
unable to
perceive differences of musical pitch accurately. tone-deafness the
condition of
being tone-deaf. tone down 1
make or
become softer in tone of sound or colour. 2 make (a
statement etc.)
less harsh or
emphatic. tone
poem =
symphonic poem. tone-row =
SERIES 8. tone up 1 make or become stronger in tone of sound or colour. 2 make (a statement etc.)
more emphatic. whole-tone scale see
WHOLE. øøtoneless adj. tonelessly adv. toner n. [ME f. OF ton or L tonus f. Gk tonos
tension, tone f. teino stretch]