Definition of tone
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: vocal or musical sound of a specific quality
spoke in low tones masculine tones
especially
: musical sound with respect to timbre and manner of expression
2a
: a sound of definite pitch and vibration
b
: whole step
3
: accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion
4
: style or manner of expression in speaking or writing
seemed wise to adopt a conciliatory tone
5
: a particular pitch or change of pitch constituting an element in the intonation of a phrase or sentence
high tone low tone mid tone low-rising tone falling tone
6
: the pitch of a word often used to express differences of meaning
7a(1)
: color quality or value
(2)
: a tint or shade of color
b
: the color that appreciably modifies a hue or white or black
gray walls of greenish tone
8
: the effect in painting of light and shade together with color
9a
: normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli
specifically
: the state of partial contraction of skeletal muscle at rest : muscular tonus
b
: strength, firmness, or tautness of a part of the body (such as the muscles or skin)
exercising to improve muscle tone the shape and tone of the arms
c
: the state of a living body or of any of its organs or parts in which the functions are healthy and performed with due vigor
10a
: general character, quality, or trend
a city's upbeat tone
b
: frame of mind : mood
c
: healthy elasticity : resiliency
tone
verb
toned; toning
Definition of tone (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to soften or reduce in intensity, color, appearance, or sound : mellow
—often used with down tone down the bright colorsThe candidate toned down his harsh rhetoric.
2
: to impart tone to : strengthen
medicine to tone up the system
especially
: to increase the firmness, strength, or tautness of (a part of the body)
She lifted weights to tone her arms.
3
: to change the normal silver image of (something, such as a photographic print) into a colored image
4
: to give a particular intonation or inflection to
5
: intone
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for tone
The first known use of tone was in the 14th century
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