overtone

/'ouvətoun/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
overtone

A choir director explains the overtone series to her students.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency: In acoustics and music, an "overtone" is a higher-frequency sound wave that resonates above the primary, or fundamental, tone, contributing to the timbre or quality of a sound.
    • An ulterior implicit meaning or quality; an additional, often subtle, implication: More commonly used in the plural form "overtones," this meaning refers to a secondary, suggested meaning or feeling that accompanies the primary, explicit message.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun (Acoustics):
    • The rich sound of the cello is due to its complex series of overtones.
    • A skilled singer can control the overtones in their voice to create a purer tone.
  • Noun (Implied Meaning):
    • His speech had strong political overtones.
    • The article was factual, but it carried overtones of skepticism about the project's success.
Advanced Usage
  • "To have overtones of (something)": To contain subtle suggestions or qualities of a particular type.
    • The celebration had distinct religious overtones.
    • Their criticism was polite but had clear overtones of disappointment.
Variants and Related Words
  • Undertone (n): A subdued or underlying quality, feeling, or meaning, often contrasted with the more obvious "overtone."
    • Despite the cheerful conversation, there was an undertone of anxiety.
Synonyms
  • Connotation: An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
  • Implication: A conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.
  • Nuance: A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
  • Harmonic (n): In acoustics, a synonym for an overtone, specifically a component frequency of a sound wave.
Related Phrases
  • Political/religious/cultural overtones: A common collocation describing the secondary implications associated with these domains.
    • The debate over the new law took on strong cultural overtones.
Related Idioms
  • "To be fraught with overtones": To be full of or laden with significant implied meanings, often negative or complex.
    • The historical narrative was fraught with nationalistic overtones.
overtone

A choir director explains the overtone series to her students.

Noun
  1. a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
  2. (usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality
    • overtones of despair

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống