intone

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
  2. verb recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm
  3. verb speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch or in a particular tone

Etymology

From Middle English entune, entone, from Old French entoner, from Medieval Latin intonō, from in- (inchoative prefix) + tonus (“pitch, tone”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); doublet of intonate. Cognate with French entonner, Italian intonare.

In classic literature

Synonyms

tone, chant

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