Overtone: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽต
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overtone

 

[ หˆoสŠvษ™rหŒtoสŠn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

musical sound

An overtone is a musical tone that is a part of the sound of a musical instrument and that is higher than the fundamental tone.

Synonyms

harmonic, partial tone

Examples of usage

  • The flute produces overtones that enrich its sound.
  • By adjusting the pressure on the string, the guitarist can control the overtone produced.
Context #2 | Noun

hidden meaning

An overtone can also refer to an additional meaning or implication that is associated with a word or situation, beyond its literal meaning.

Synonyms

subtext, undertone

Examples of usage

  • There was an overtone of sadness in her voice.
  • The politician's speech had an overtone of aggression.

Translations

Translations of the word "overtone" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น harmรดnico

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคŠเคชเคฐเฅ€ เคธเฅเคตเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Oberton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ nada atas

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะฑะตั€ั‚ะพะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przydลบwiฤ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ€้Ÿณ (ใฐใ„ใŠใ‚“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท harmonique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ armonico

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รผst ton

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฐ์Œ (baeum)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชูˆุงูู‚ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™ezvuk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vyลกลกรญ tรณn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆณ›้Ÿณ (fร nyฤซn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nadton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ yfirtonar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพะฑะตั€ั‚ะพะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ•แƒ”แƒ แƒขแƒแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ overtone

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ armรณnico

Etymology

The word 'overtone' originated in the mid 18th century from the combination of 'over' and 'tone'. It was first used in the context of music to describe the higher tones produced along with the fundamental tone. Over time, the term expanded to also include additional meanings or implications associated with words or situations.

See also: intone, monotone, overtones, ton, tonality, toned, toner, tones, toning, undertone, undertones.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,410, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.