| 释义 |
semitone|ˈsɛmɪtəʊn|
[f. semi- + tone n.; cf. late L. sēmitonium, OF. semithon and Gr. ἡµιτόνιον hemitone. Senses 2 and 3 (usually written semi-tone), are new formations distinct from 1.]
1. Mus. An interval approximately equal to half a tone, the smallest interval in the ordinary scales; a minor second.
Semitones are chromatic or minor, diatonic or major, and enharmonic: see these words.
1609Dowland Ornith. Microl. 17 A Semitone..is a rising from one Voyce to another, (by an imperfect second) sounding flatly: and it is onely betwixt the Voyces Mi, fa. It is called a Semitone, not because it is halfe a Tone..but because it is an imperfect Tone. a1620Campion Counterpoint Wks. (1909) 192 A lesser Third consists of a Tone, and a Semi-tone. 1753Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Interval, The lesser flat seventh is equal to the sixth major and semi⁓tone major. 1811Busby Dict. Mus. (ed. 3), The Semitone-Major is produced by rising a degree... The Semitone-Minor, by passing from a natural note to its sharp. 1848Rimbault Pianoforte 33 A tone always includes both a Chromatic and a Diatonic semitone. 1876tr. Blaserna's Sound vii. 133 Raising a note a semi-tone signifies raising that note to its sharp, as lowering it a semi-tone signifies lowering it to its flat.
2. Art. An intermediate tone or tint in a picture; = half-tone 2. (Cf. semi-tint s.v. semi- 9.)
1782Mrs. Delany's Life & Corr. III. 97 note, The greatest harmony of colouring from the various semi-tones of tint laid on. 1821Craig Lect. Drawing, etc. iii. 155 The semi⁓tones, formed by the reflected lights in his pictures, appear scarcely distinguishable. 1906Daily Chron. 5 Apr. 8/1 The soft tones and semi-tones seem to melt..into one another.
fig.1911Chesterton Crit. & Apprec. Dickens 154 Anyone who thinks that Dickens could not describe the semi-tones and the abrupt instincts of real human nature.
3. A soft or gentle tone of voice; an undertone.
1818‘T. Brown’ Brighton I. i. 39 ‘Yes, my lord,’ said Zephyr, and, in a semi-tone, muttered, ‘he'll overlook many things.’ 1837Disraeli Venetia i. vi, Speaking in a semi-tone. 1894Advance (Chicago) 4 Oct., Preachers should pray less in semi-tones, and preach more in thunder tones. |
