◙ noun 1. the overall quality of a musical or vocal sound • 音调，音质 »the piano tone appears monochrome or lacking in warmth. 钢琴的音质单调，或者说缺乏热情。 a modulation of the voice expressing a particular feeling or mood • 语气，口气 »a firm tone of voice. 坚定的口气。 a manner of expression in writing • 写作风格，笔调 »there was a general tone of ill-concealed glee in the reporting. 报导中有着难以掩饰的欣喜笔调。 2. the general character of a group of people or a place or event • （人群、地方或事件的）总体特性，风格，气氛 »a bell would lower the tone of the place. 钟有损此地情调。 [mass noun] [informal] an atmosphere of respectability or class • [非正式] 风格，格调 »they don't feel he gives the place tone. 他们认为他没有提高这个地方的格调。 3. a musical sound, especially one of a definite pitch and character • （尤指具体的）音调 a musical note, warble, or other sound used as a particular signal on a telephone or answering machine • （电话、应答机等的）音乐铃声 [Phonetics] (in some languages, such as Chinese) a particular pitch pattern on a syllable used to make semantic distinctions • [语音] 声调，音调（汉语等语言中，通过音节声调区分词义） [Phonetics] (in some languages, such as English) intonation on a word or phrase used to add functional meaning • [语音] （英语等语言中，赋予单词或习语功能意义的）语调 4. (也作 whole tone)a basic interval in classical Western music, equal to two semitones and separating, for example, the first and second notes of an ordinary scale (such as C and D, or E and F sharp); a major second or whole step • 全音 5. [mass noun] the particular quality of brightness, deepness, or hue of a tint or shade of a colour • 色调 »an attractive colour which is even in tone and texture. 一种色调和质地相配的诱人颜色。 »[count noun] stained glass in vivid tones of red and blue. 带有多种红蓝色调的彩色玻璃。 the general effect of colour or of light and shade in a picture • （画的色调、明暗的）总体效果 [count noun] a slight degree of difference in the intensity of a colour • 色调度 6. (也作 muscle tone)[mass noun] the normal level of firmness or slight contraction in a resting muscle • 肌肉的紧张性 [Physiology] the normal level of activity in a nerve fibre • [生理] 神经纤维的正常活动状态 ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. give greater strength or firmness to (the body or a part of it) • 使（身体或其部位）强壮，结实 »exercise tones up the muscles. 锻炼能强健肌肉。 [no obj.] (tone up)(of a muscle or bodily part) became stronger or firmer • （肌肉，身体部位）变得更强壮，结实 2. [no obj.] (tone with)harmonize with (something) in terms of colour • 与…颜色协调，和谐 »the rich orange colour of the wood tones beautifully with the yellow roses. 树木的深橘黄色与黄玫瑰非常协调。 3. [Photography] give (a monochrome picture) an altered colour in finishing by means of a chemical solution • [摄] （用化学溶液使黑白照片在润色时）变色
【派生】
♦ toned adjective »[in combination] the fresh-toned singing. 声音清新的歌唱。
【语源】
1. Middle English: from Old French ton, from Latin tonus, from Greek tonos 'tension, tone', from teinein 'to stretch'
【PHR V】
◘ tone something down 1. make something less harsh in sound or colour • 使声音（或颜色）柔和 make something less extreme or intense • 使…缓和 »she saw the need to tone down her protests. 她意识到该降低抗议的调子了。