intonation

 
Pronunciation: /ɪntəˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the rise and fall of the voice in speaking: she spoke English with a German intonation
  • the action of intoning or reciting in a singing voice.
  • 2accuracy of pitch in playing or singing, or on a stringed instrument such as a guitar: poor woodwind intonation at the opening
  • 3the opening phrase of a plainsong melody.

Derivatives

intonate

verb

intonational

adjective

Origin:

early 17th century (in intonation (sense 3)): from medieval Latin intonatio(n-), from intonare (see intone)