adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The note immediately below the upper note of a musical scale.
2. 2
   (music) the seventh note of the diatonic scale wordnet
3. 3
   An imperfectly articulated sound or utterance, as characterized by Dr. James Rush (Guide to Pronunciation, 1833). dated

Adjective

1. 1
   Of or pertaining to imperfectly articulated sounds or utterances that are inaudible or barely audible, as characterized by Dr. James Rush (Guide to Pronunciation, 1833). dated, not-comparable

Synonyms

All synonyms

dominantkeykey signaturekeynoteleading tonemajor

Etymology

From sub- + tonic.

Related phrases

musical scale

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.