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noun
1.
any sound considered with reference to its quality, pitch, strength, source, etc.: shrill tones.
2.
quality or character of sound.
3.
vocal sound; the sound made by vibrating muscular bands in the larynx.
4.
a particular quality, way of sounding, modulation, or intonation of the voice as expressive of some meaning, feeling, spirit, etc.: a tone of command.
5.
EXPANDan accent peculiar to a person, people, locality, etc., or a characteristic mode of sounding words in speech.
7.
Linguistics. a musical pitch or movement in pitch serving to distinguish two words otherwise composed of the same sounds, as in Chinese.
8.
Music.
a.
a musical sound of definite pitch, consisting of several relatively simple constituents called partial tones, the lowest of which is called the fundamental tone and the others harmonics or overtones.
b.
an interval equivalent to two semitones; a whole tone; a whole step.
c.
any of the nine melodies or tunes to which Gregorian plainsong psalms are sung.
9.
a quality of color with reference to the degree of absorption or reflection of light; a tint or shade; value.
10.
that distinctive quality by which colors differ from one another in addition to their differences indicated by chroma, tint, shade; a slight modification of a given color; hue: green with a yellowish tone.
11.
Art. the prevailing effect of harmony of color and values.
12.
Physiology.
a.
the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.
b.
that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.
c.
normal sensitivity to stimulation.
13.
a normal healthy mental condition.
14.
a particular mental state or disposition; spirit, character, or tenor.
15.
a particular style or manner, as of writing or speech; mood: the macabre tone of Poe's stories.
16.
prevailing character or style, as of manners, morals, or philosophical outlook: the liberal tone of the 1960s.
17.
COLLAPSEstyle, distinction, or elegance.
verb (used with object)
18.
to sound with a particular tone.
19.
to give the proper tone to (a musical instrument).
20.
to modify the tone or general coloring of.
21.
to give the desired tone to (a painting, drawing, etc.).
22.
EXPANDPhotography. to change the color of (a print), especially by chemical means.
23.
to render as specified in tone or coloring.
24.
to modify the tone or character of.
25.
COLLAPSEto give or restore physical or mental tone to.
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Tone down
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrases26.
to take on a particular tone; assume color or tint.
27.
tone down,
a.
to become or cause to become softened or moderated: The newspaper toned down its attack.
b.
Painting. to make (a color) less intense in hue; subdue.
28.
tone up,
a.
to give a higher or stronger tone to.
b.
to gain or cause to gain in tone or strength: toning up little-used muscles.
29.
tone (in) with, to harmonize in tone or coloring; blend: The painting tones with the room.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English (noun) < Latin tonus < Greek tónos strain, tone, mode, literally, a stretching, akin to teínein to stretch
1275–1325; Middle English (noun) < Latin tonus < Greek tónos strain, tone, mode, literally, a stretching, akin to teínein to stretch
Related forms
tone·less, adjective
tone·less·ly, adverb
tone·less·ness, noun
mul·ti·toned, adjective
non·toned, adjective
EXPAND
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To tone down
Collins
World English Dictionary
| tone down | |
| —vb | |
| (adverb) to moderate or become moderated in tone: to tone down an argument; to tone down a bright colour | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
tone
1340, from O.Fr. ton (13c.), from L. tonus "a sound, tone, accent," lit. "stretching" (in M.L., a term peculiar to music), from Gk. tonos "vocal pitch, raising of voice, accent, key in music," originally "a stretching, taut string," related to teinein "to stretch" (see
EXPAND tenet). Sense of "manner of speaking" is from 1610. First reference to firmness of body is from 1669. The verb meaning "to impart tone to" is recorded from 1811. Tonal is attested from 1776; atonal first attested 1922; tonality is from 1838.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
tone (tōn)
n.
The quality or character of sound.
The character of voice expressing an emotion.
The normal state of elastic tension or partial contraction in resting muscles.
Normal firmness of a tissue or an organ.
To give tone or firmness to.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
tone down
Make less vivid, harsh, or violent; moderate. For example, That's a little too much rouge; I'd tone it down a bit, or Do you think I should tone down this letter of complaint? This idiom uses tone in the sense of "adjust the tone or quality of something," as does the antonym, tone up, meaning "brighten or strengthen." For example, These curtains will tone up the whole room, or This exercise is said to tone up the triceps. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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