detune

A radio technician detunes the receiver to eliminate interference.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause to go out of tune: "detune" means to adjust a musical instrument, radio, or electronic device so that it no longer produces the correct pitch or frequency, often intentionally.
   • To disrupt tuning: In radio or electronics, "detune" refers to altering the tuning of a receiver or transmitter to make it less sensitive or to avoid interference.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The guitarist deliberately detuned his instrument to create a darker sound. (He intentionally made the guitar out of standard pitch.)
  • The technician detuned the radio to reduce static from a nearby station. (He adjusted the frequency to avoid interference.)

Advanced Usage

• "to detune an engine": In automotive contexts, this means to reduce the performance of an engine by adjusting parameters like timing or fuel mixture.

  • The mechanic detuned the engine for better fuel efficiency. (He lowered its power output to save fuel.)

• "detuned resonator": In physics or engineering, a resonator that is intentionally set to a frequency different from the system's natural frequency.

  • The detuned resonator prevented excessive vibrations. (The resonator was adjusted to avoid resonance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Detuning (n): the act or process of detuning.

  • The detuning of the guitar gave it a unique sound. (The process of making it out of tune.)

• Detunable (adj): capable of being detuned.

  • This radio is detunable for experimental purposes. (It can be adjusted to go out of tune.)

Synonyms

• Mistune: to put into an incorrect or non-standard tuning.
• Untune: to cause to lose proper tuning.

Phrasal Verbs

• Detune down: to lower the pitch or frequency of something.

  • He detuned down the bass guitar for a heavier sound. (He lowered its tuning to produce deeper notes.)

• Detune off: to adjust away from a target frequency.

  • The operator detuned off the main channel to avoid interference. (He moved the tuning away from the original frequency.)

Related Idioms

• Out of tune: not in proper pitch or harmony.

  • After he detuned the piano, it was completely out of tune. (It no longer produced correct notes.)

• Tune out: to ignore or disregard, but in a technical sense, to adjust a device to avoid a signal.

  • Use the knob to detune the radio and tune out the noise. (Adjust to eliminate unwanted sound.)