intonation

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun rise and fall of the voice pitch
  2. noun singing by a soloist of the opening piece of plainsong
  3. noun the act of singing in a monotonous tone

Etymology

From French intonation, from Medieval Latin intonatio, from intonō + -tiō.

In classic literature

Synonyms

modulation, pitch contour

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