Definition

1. Noun:
   • Either of the two main stops on a pipe organ: In music, specifically for pipe organs, a "diapason" refers to one of the two principal stops that produce the organ's foundational tone.
   • The entire range of musical tones or a voice: More broadly, it can denote the full compass or range of a musical instrument or a singing voice.
   • A standard of musical pitch: Historically, it can refer to a tuning fork or another device used to establish a standard pitch.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Pipe Organ Stop):
  • The organist pulled out the diapason to begin the hymn.
  • The rich sound of the diapason stop filled the cathedral.
• Noun (Musical Range):
  • The singer's voice possessed an extraordinary diapason.
  • This instrument has a diapason of over four octaves.
• Noun (Pitch Standard):
  • The orchestra tuned their instruments to the diapason provided by the oboe.

Advanced Usage

• "Diapason normal": A historical term for the standard pitch (A=435 Hz) adopted in France in the 19th century.
  • The score was written for diapason normal.
• In a figurative sense: Can describe a wide range or scope of something non-musical.
  • The book covers a wide diapason of human emotions.

Variants and Related Words

• Diapason stop (n): The specific organ stop.
  • The diapason stop is essential for the organ's principal chorus.
• Diapason pipe (n): A pipe in an organ that produces the diapason tone.

Synonyms

• Range (for the sense of compass or scope).
• Compass (for the sense of range).
• Stop (specifically for the organ component).

Related Phrases

• "Full diapason": Often used to mean the full power or range.
  • The composer used the full diapason of the orchestra.

Related Idioms

• "Swell to a diapason": To increase in volume or intensity to a full, rich sound.
  • The finale swelled to a magnificent diapason.

Noun

1. either of the two main stops on a pipe organ