Tone

English Meaning

Sound, or the character of a sound, or a sound considered as of this or that character; as, a low, high, loud, grave, acute, sweet, or harsh tone.

1. Music A sound of distinct pitch, quality, and duration; a note.
2. Music The interval of a major second in the diatonic scale; a whole step.
3. Music A recitational melody in a Gregorian chant.
4. The quality or character of sound.
5. The characteristic quality or timbre of a particular instrument or voice.
6. The pitch of a word used to determine its meaning or to distinguish differences in meaning.
7. The particular or relative pitch of a word, phrase, or sentence.
8. Manner of expression in speech or writing: took an angry tone with the reporters.
9. A general quality, effect, or atmosphere: a room with an elegant tone.
10. A color or shade of color: light tones of blue.
11. Quality of color: The green wallpaper had a particularly somber tone.
12. The general effect in painting of light, color, and shade.
13. Physiology The normal state of elastic tension or partial contraction in resting muscles.
14. Physiology Normal firmness of a tissue or an organ.
15. To give a particular tone or inflection to.
16. To soften or change the color of (a painting or photographic negative, for example).
17. To sound monotonously; intone.
18. To make firmer or stronger. Often used with up: exercises that tone up the body.
19. To assume a particular color quality.
20. To harmonize in color.
21. tone down To make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate.