Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Tune?

\Tune\, n. [A variant of tone.] 1. A sound; a note; a tone. ``The tune of your voices.'' --Shak. 2. (Mus.) (a) A rhythmical, melodious, symmetrical series of tones for one voice or instrument, or for any number of voices or instruments in unison, or two or more such series forming parts in harmony; a melody; an air; as, a merry tune; a mournful tune; a slow tune; a psalm tune. See {Air}. (b) The state of giving the proper, sound or sounds; just intonation; harmonious accordance; pitch of the voice or an instrument; adjustment of the parts of an instrument so as to harmonize with itself or with others; as, the piano, or the organ, is not in tune. Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh. --Shak. 3. Order; harmony; concord; fit disposition, temper, or humor; right mood. A child will learn three times as much when he is in tune, as when he . . . is dragged unwillingly to [his task]. --Locke.
\Tune\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tuned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Tuning}.] 1. To put into a state adapted to produce the proper sounds; to harmonize, to cause to be in tune; to correct the tone of; as, to tune a piano or a violin. `` Tune your harps.'' --Dryden. 2. To give tone to; to attune; to adapt in style of music; to make harmonious. For now to sorrow must I tune my song. --Milton. 3. To sing with melody or harmony. Fountains, and ye, that warble, as ye flow, Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. --Milton. 4. To put into a proper state or disposition. --Shak.
\Tune\, v. i. 1. To form one sound to another; to form accordant musical sounds. Whilst tuning to the water's fall, The small birds sang to her. --Drayton. 2. To utter inarticulate harmony with the voice; to sing without pronouncing words; to hum. [R.]