in·tone

[in-tohn] verb, in·toned, in·ton·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation.
2.
to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
3.
to utter in a singing voice (the first tones of a section in a liturgical service).
4.
to recite or chant in monotone.
verb (used without object)
5.
to speak or recite in a singing voice, especially in monotone; chant.
6.
Music. to produce a tone, or a particular series of tones, like a scale, especially with the voice.
00:10
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to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to flee; abscond:

Origin:
1475–85; < Medieval Latin intonāre; replacing earlier entone < Middle French entoner < Medieval Latin; see in-2, tone

in·ton·er, noun
half-in·toned, adjective
un·in·toned, adjective
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World English Dictionary
intone (ɪnˈtəʊn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to utter, recite, or sing (a chant, prayer, etc) in a monotonous or incantatory tone
2.  (intr) to speak with a particular or characteristic intonation or tone
3.  to sing (the opening phrase of a psalm, etc) in plainsong
 
[C15: from Medieval Latin intonare, from in-² + tone]
 
in'toner
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

intone
late 15c., "to utter in musical tones," from O.Fr. entoner (13c.), from M.L. intonare "sing according to tone," from L. in- "in" + tonus "tone," from Gk. tonos (see tenet). Intonation as a musical term dates from 1776.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Violins shiver, cellos intone, acoustic guitars twinkle.
Doctors intone grave warnings about the dangers of stress.
There the swells would sip martinis, intone the odd witticism or inanity and occasionally commit some headline indiscretion.
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