v. in·toned, in·ton·ing, in·tones v.tr. 1. To recite in a singing tone. 2. To utter in a monotone. v.intr. 1. To speak with a singing tone or with a particular intonation. 2. Music To sing a plainsong intonation. [Middle English entonen, from Old French entoner, from Medieval Latin intonāre : Latin in-, in; see IN-2 + Latin tonus, tone; see TONE.] in·tonement n. in·toner n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.