intonation

Meanings

Plural: intonations

Noun

• rise and fall of the voice pitch
• singing by a soloist of the opening piece of plainsong
• the act of singing in a monotonous tone
• the production of musical tones (by voice or instrument); especially the exactitude of the pitch relations
• The rise and fall of the voice in speaking.
• Emotive stress used to increase the power of delivery in speech.
• A sound made by, or resembling that made by, a musical instrument.
• Singing or playing in good tune or otherwise.
• Reciting in a musical prolonged tone; intonating or singing of the opening phrase of a plain-chant, psalm, or canticle by a single voice, as of a priest.

Synonyms

chanting, modulation, pitch contour

Related Words

intonable, intonate, intonational, intonationally, intonator, intone, intoner