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   In·to·na·tion

   /ˌin(t)əˈnāSH(ə)n/

   

   noun

   • 1. the rise and fall of the voice in speaking: "she spoke English with a German intonation" Similar inflectionpitchtonetimbrecadencecadencyliltrise and fallmodulationspeech patternaccentuationemphasisstressaccentbrogue
   • ▪ the action of intoning or reciting in a singing voice. Similar chantingincantationrecitationsingingrare:cantillation
   • 2. accuracy of pitch in playing or singing, or on a stringed instrument such as a guitar: "poor woodwind intonation at the opening"
   • 3. the opening phrase of a plainsong melody.

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. intonational adjective

   Scrabble Points: 10

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