diapason

di·a·pa·son

noun \ˌdī-ə-ˈpā-z^ən, -s^ən\

Definition of DIAPASON

1

a : a burst of sound <diapasons of laughter> b : the principal foundation stop in the organ extending through the complete range of the instrument c (1) : the entire compass of musical tones (2) : range, scope <registers the full diapason of her responses — Mindy Aloff>

2

a : tuning fork b : a standard of pitch

Examples of DIAPASON

1. <the survey ultimately recorded the full diapason of seemingly possible replies regarding sexual practices>

Origin of DIAPASON

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek (hē) dia pasōn (chordōn symphōnia), literally, the concord through all the notes, from dia through + pasōn, genitive feminine plural of pas all — more at dia-, pan-

First Known Use: circa 1501

Related to DIAPASON

Synonyms: range, gamut, scale, spectrum, spread, stretch

Related Words: measure, pitch, scale; ambit, amplitude, compass, dimension(s), extent, reach, realm, scope, sweep, width

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