tone

Speech parts

1. tone - Noun

2. tone - Verb

3. tone - Pronoun

4. Tone - Proper noun

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.

Accent, or inflection or modulation of the voice, as adapted to express emotion or passion.

A whining style of speaking; a kind of mournful or artificial strain of voice; an affected speaking with a measured rhythm ahd a regular rise and fall of the voice; as, children often read with a tone.

A sound considered as to pitch; as, the seven tones of the octave; she has good high tones.

The larger kind of interval between contiguous sounds in the diatonic scale, the smaller being called a semitone as, a whole tone too flat; raise it a tone.

The peculiar quality of sound in any voice or instrument; as, a rich tone, a reedy tone.

A mode or tune or plain chant; as, the Gregorian tones.

That state of a body, or of any of its organs or parts, in which the animal functions are healthy and performed with due vigor.

Tonicity; as, arterial tone.

State of mind; temper; mood.

Tenor; character; spirit; drift; as, the tone of his remarks was commendatory.

General or prevailing character or style, as of morals, manners, or sentiment, in reference to a scale of high and low; as, a low tone of morals; a tone of elevated sentiment; a courtly tone of manners.

The general effect of a picture produced by the combination of light and shade, together with color in the case of a painting; -- commonly used in a favorable sense; as, this picture has tone.

To utter with an affected tone.

To give tone, or a particular tone, to; to tune. See Tune, v. t.

To bring, as a print, to a certain required shade of color, as by chemical treatment.

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Phrases with the word

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Examples

First and foremost, the monk should own nothing in this world, but he should have as his possessions solitude of the body, modesty of bearing, a modulated tone of voice, and a well-ordered manner of speech. He should be without anxiety as to his food and drink, and should eat in silence. Basil of Caesarea

Might the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy be laid to heart! Might a sense of the true aims of life elevate the tone of politics and trade, till public and private honor become identical! Margaret Fuller

Japanese affection is not uttered in words; it scarcely appears even in the tone of voice; it is chiefly shown in acts of exquisite courtesy and kindness. Lafcadio Hearn

It is profound ignorance that inspires the dogmatic tone. English Proverb

It is the tone that makes the music. French Proverb

The loudest bell does not always have the sweetest tone. American Proverb

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