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tonality

 - 2 dictionary results

to⋅nal⋅i⋅ty

  [toh-nal-i-tee]
Use tonality in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. Music.
a. the sum of relations, melodic and harmonic, existing between the tones of a scale or musical system.
b. a particular scale or system of tones; a key.
2. (in painting, graphics, etc.) the system of tones or tints, or the color scheme, of a picture.
3. the quality of tones.
Origin:
1830–40; tonal + -ity

Related forms:
to⋅nal⋅i⋅tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tonality
to·nal·i·ty   (tō-nāl'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. to·nal·i·ties

  1. Music

    1. A system or an arrangement of seven tones built on a tonic key.

    2. The arrangement of all the tones and chords of a composition in relation to a tonic.

  2. The scheme or interrelation of the tones in a painting.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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