tone
tone
UK[təʊn]US[toʊn]
n
the quality of a sound, especially of the human voice, expressing a particular emotion or meaning
n
the general character or attitude of something, such as a piece of writing or a situation
n
a particular quality of brightness, deepness, or hue of a colour
n
the particular quality of a musical sound produced by an instrument or voice
v
to give a particular tone or quality of sound or colour to something
v
(often tone up) to make one's body or a muscle firmer and stronger
Etymology
the word "tone" entered middle english from old french "ton", which itself originated from the latin "tonus", meaning "sound, tone, accent". latin borrowed this term from the greek "tonos", signifying "vocal pitch, tension, a stretching", which is derived from the verb "teinein", meaning "to stretch". the semantic journey from the physical concept of "stretching" (as in a taut string producing a pitch) to the abstract notions of sound quality, colour quality, and general character demonstrates a classic metaphorical extension, where a concrete physical property evolves to describe more intangible qualities.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a single root.
Examples
she spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.
the article set the tone for the entire debate.
he exercises regularly to tone his muscles.