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tone
has definitions from the fields of color,music,linguistics,psychology,rhetoric,fine art
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[ noun ] (rhetoric) the quality of a person's voice
Synonyms Examples "he began in a conversational tone" "he spoke in a nervous tone of voice" Used in print (Edward E. Kelly, S.J., "Christian Unity in England"...)The general tone of articles appearing in such important newspapers as the Manchester_Guardian and the Sunday_Observer implies a kindly recognition that the Catholic_Church is now at_least of equal stature in England with the Protestant churches . (Christopher Davis, First Family....)Rachel 's tone was dry . (W. E. B. DuBois, Worlds of Color....)It began invariably in low tones , almost conversational , and then gradually worked_up to high , shrill appeals to God and man . (Richard Ferber, Bitter Valley....)`` You own this place '' ? she said , and her tone had softened until it was almost friendly . (John Hazard Wildman, "Take It Off," The Arizona...)The policeman 's eyes rather popped for a second ; but then Arlene got another tone in a hurry , and she said , `` If it was n't for these dear children '' - . Related terms |
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[ noun ] (linguistics) a pitch or change in pitch of the voice that serves to distinguish words in tonal languages
Examples "the Beijing dialect uses four tones" Used in print (H. A. Gleason, "Review of African language studies...)This limited familiarity with the possible phenomena has severely hampered work with tone . Tone analysis will continue to be difficult and unsatisfactory until a more representative selection of systems is familar to every practicing field linguist . The great majority of present-day linguists fall_into one or more of a number of overlapping types : those who are convinced that tone cannot be analysed , those who are personally scared of tone and tone_languages generally , those who are convinced that tone is merely an unnecessary marginal feature in those languages where it occurs , those who have no idea how to proceed with tone analysis , those who take a simplistic view of the whole matter . The great majority of present-day linguists fall_into one or more of a number of overlapping types : those who are convinced that tone cannot be analysed , those who are personally scared of tone and tone_languages generally , those who are convinced that tone is merely an unnecessary marginal feature in those languages where it occurs , those who have no idea how to proceed with tone analysis , those who take a simplistic view of the whole matter . The great majority of present-day linguists fall_into one or more of a number of overlapping types : those who are convinced that tone cannot be analysed , those who are personally scared of tone and tone_languages generally , those who are convinced that tone is merely an unnecessary marginal feature in those languages where it occurs , those who have no idea how to proceed with tone analysis , those who take a simplistic view of the whole matter . Related terms |
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[ noun ] (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
Examples "the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely" "the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet" Used in print (John F. Hayward, "Mimesis and Symbol in the Arts"...)When words can be used in a more fresh and primitive way so that they strike with the force of sights and sounds , when tones of sound and colors of paint and the carven shape all strike the sensibilities with an undeniable force of data in and of themselves , compelling the observer into an attitude of attention , all this imitates the way experience itself in its deepest character strikes upon the door of consciousness and clamors for entrance . (Irving Fineman, Woman of Valor: The Life of Henrietta...)For Rachel , conceded to be the prettiest of the Szold girls - and she did make a pretty picture sitting in the grape-arbor strumming her guitar and singing in her silvery tones - there was no particular March counterpart ; but both groups were so closely_knit that despite individual differences the family life in both cases was remarkably similar in atmosphere if not entirely in content - the one being definitely Jewish and the other vaguely Christian . (H. A. Gleason, "Review of African language studies...)This limited familiarity with the possible phenomena has severely hampered work with tone . The great majority of present-day linguists fall_into one or more of a number of overlapping types : those who are convinced that tone cannot be analysed , those who are personally scared of tone and tone_languages generally , those who are convinced that tone is merely an unnecessary marginal feature in those languages where it occurs , those who have no idea how to proceed with tone analysis , those who take a simplistic view of the whole matter . The great majority of present-day linguists fall_into one or more of a number of overlapping types : those who are convinced that tone cannot be analysed , those who are personally scared of tone and tone_languages generally , those who are convinced that tone is merely an unnecessary marginal feature in those languages where it occurs , those who have no idea how to proceed with tone analysis , those who take a simplistic view of the whole matter . Related terms sound_property color harshness register fullness plangency resonance nasality shrillness music |
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[ noun ] the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
Examples "the feel of the city excited him" "a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting" "it had the smell of treason" Used in print (Howard Fast, April Morning....)As for this rider , I never saw him before or afterwards and never saw him dismounted , so whether he stood tall or short in his shoes , I can n't say ; but I do know that he gave the day tone and distinction . |
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[ noun ] (color) a quality of a given color that differs slightly from a primary color
Examples "after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted" Used in print (The Times-Picayune, [New Orleans]...)The citrus tones popular in clothing are also to be found afoot . |
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[ noun ] (psychology) a steady sound without overtones
Synonyms Examples "they tested his hearing with pure tones of different frequencies" Used in print (Octavia Waldo, A Cup of the Sun....)To them he could have been the broken bell in the church_tower which rang before and after Mass , and at noon , and at six each evening - its tone , repetitive , monotonous , never breaking the boredom of the streets . |
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[ noun ] (music) a notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound
Synonyms Examples "the singer held the note too long" Used in print (Glayds H. Barr, The Master of Geneva....)For an instant John longed for the sound of the bells of Noyon-la-Sainte , the touch of his mother 's hand , the lilt of Charles 's voice in the square raftered rooms , his father 's bass tones rumbling to the canons , and the sight of the beloved bishop . |
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[ noun ] Last name, frequency rank in the U.S. is 17109
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[ verb ] give a healthy elasticity to
Synonyms Examples "Let's tone our muscles" |
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[ noun ] the elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc. that facilitate response to stimuli
Examples "the doctor tested my tonicity" Related terms atonicity tension muscular_tonus myotonia hypertonia hypotonia catatonia muscle |
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[ verb ] utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
Examples "The students chanted the same slogan over and over again" Related terms |
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[ noun ] (music) a musical interval of two semitones
Synonyms Related terms |
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[ noun ] the quality of something (an act or a piece of writing) that reveals the attitudes and presuppositions of the author
Examples "the general tone of articles" "from the tone of her behavior I gathered that I had outstayed my welcome" Related terms |
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