inharmonic
/,inhɑ:'mɔnik/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking harmony or agreement; discordant: Describes something that is not in harmony, especially sounds or musical notes that clash or are not pleasing when combined.
- Not harmonic; dissonant: In music and physics, specifically refers to frequencies or overtones that are not integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, creating a non-harmonic or inharmonic sound.
Usage
The word "inharmonic" is a formal, technical adjective primarily used in music theory, acoustics, and physics. It describes sounds, tones, or relationships that are not harmonious. It is the opposite of "harmonic."
Examples
- Adjective:
- The piano tuner noted the inharmonic quality of the old strings, which made the instrument sound slightly out of tune.
- In percussion instruments like bells, the sound is characteristically inharmonic because the overtones are not simple multiples of the fundamental pitch.
- Their political views were completely inharmonic, leading to constant arguments.
Advanced Usage
Inharmonic Series: In acoustics, a series of frequencies where the overtones are not integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. This is common in instruments like xylophones, bells, and drums.
- The unique timbre of a bell is due to its inharmonic series of partials.
Inharmonicity: (Noun) The degree to which the frequencies of overtones depart from being integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
- The inharmonicity of a piano string increases with its stiffness.
Variants and Related Words
- Inharmonicity (n): The quality or state of being inharmonic.
- Anharmonic (adj): In physics, often used interchangeably with "inharmonic" to describe oscillatory motion that is not simple harmonic.
- Dissonant (adj): Clashing or unresolved in sound; often used more broadly than "inharmonic" to describe musical intervals or chords that sound tense.
- Discordant (adj): Lacking harmony or agreement; a more general synonym.
Synonyms
- Dissonant
- Discordant
- Unharmonious
- Cacophonous
- Atonal (specifically in music lacking a tonal center)
Antonyms
- Harmonic
- Harmonious
- Consonant
- Melodious
- Concordant
Adjective
-
lacking in harmony
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