English Explanatory Dictionary

overtone

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series.
  2. An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived as overwhelming the explicit message.
  3. An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived subtly alongside, but not overwhelming, the explicit message.
verb
  1. To give an overtone to.

Pronunciation

/ˈoʊvɚtoʊn/ /ˈəʊ.və.təʊn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-overtone.wav

Word forms

overtone overtones overtoning overtoned

Etymology

From over- + tone, calque of German Oberton.

Synonyms

undertone undercurrent

Antonyms

undertone

Derived words

overtone singing

Translations

French: sous-entendu French: connotation Hungarian: felhang Hungarian: mellékzönge Hungarian: mellékíz Hungarian: beütés Polish: podtekst Polish: wydźwięk Russian: подте́кст Russian: намёк Russian: скрытый смысл Russian: оберто́н Russian: но́тка Spanish: implicación Spanish: connotación Spanish: sobreentendido
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