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View synonyms for timbre

timbre

[ tam-ber, tim-; French tan-bruh ]

noun

  1. Acoustics, Phonetics. the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred. Timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance.
  2. Music. the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.
  3. characteristic tone of expression:

    the masterful rhythm and timbre of his writing.



timbre

/ ˈtæmbə; ˈtɪmbə; tɛ̃brə /

noun

  1. phonetics the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another
  2. music tone colour or quality of sound, esp a specific type of tone colour


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Word History and Origins

Origin of timbre1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tymbre, from Middle French “clapperless bell, bell rung by a hammer,” from Old French “small drum, drum,” from Latin tympanum “timbrel, drum,” from Greek týmpanon “timbrel, kettledrum, drum”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of timbre1

C19: from French: note of a bell, from Old French: drum, from Medieval Greek timbanon, from Greek tumpanon drum

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Example Sentences

He has a voice not dissimilar in timbre and penetrative ability to the incredibly annoying comedian Stephen Merchant.

The power, timbre, and range of her voice made her performance the best part of the night.

The cat ceased snarling and presently began a loud purring which seemed to increase in timbre as he stroked her.

You can see this poetry realized in the timbre and pace of the “mad as hell” speech.

Each of the clones behaves in her own unique way, each with her own distinctive body language, timbre, and sensibilities.

It was not an ordinary blast, but had a peculiarly musical timbre, very much like the note of a mouth-organ.

He had the gift of telling a story: some peculiar timbre in the voice, some direct dramatic touch.

This variety in the shape of the waves results in the difference in timbre between various tones.

Carrying the same principle into song, we find that a voice naturally shows the timbre appropriate to the mood.

Her voice was a modified edition of her mother's, lazy, rich and sweet, but with keener timbre.

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flabbergast

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