intonation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the pattern of rising and falling pitch in a person's speech

   Her questioning intonation made the statement sound uncertain.

2. 2
   noun

   the manner or accuracy with which musical pitches are produced

   The violinist adjusted her intonation during the sustained note.

3. 3
   noun

   the singing of the opening phrase of a chant or plainsong

   The cantor's intonation established the melody for the choir.

From French intonation, from Medieval Latin intonatio, based on Latin intonare ("to thunder, resound"), from in- + tonare ("to thunder"). Its musical sense preceded the modern linguistic sense of patterned pitch movement in speech.

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