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n. 1. Music a. A melody, especially a simple and easily remembered one. b. A song. c. The state of being in correct pitch: sang out of tune; played in tune with the piano. d. Obsolete A musical tone. 2. a. Concord or agreement; harmony: in tune with the times. b. Archaic Frame of mind; disposition. 3. Electronics Adjustment of a receiver or circuit for maximum response to a given signal or frequency. v. tuned, tun·ing, tunes v.tr. 1. a. Music To put into proper pitch: tuned the violin. b. Archaic To utter musically; sing. 2. To adjust or adopt in order to meet specific requirements or conditions, especially: a. To adjust (an electronic receiver) to a desired frequency. b. To adjust (an electronic circuit) so as to make it resonant with a given input signal. c. To adjust (an engine, for example) for maximum usability or performance. d. To adjust the wavelength output of (a laser). v.intr. Phrasal Verbs: To become attuned. tune in 1. Electronics To adjust a receiver to receive signals at a particular frequency or a particular program. 2. Slang To make or become aware or responsive: "Nobody tunes in to what anybody else is saying" (Bruce Allen). tune out 1. Electronics To adjust a receiver so as not to receive a particular signal. 2. Slang a. To disassociate oneself from one's environment: "The average reader, used to seeing the world in three-dimensional color, tunes out" (Carlin Romano). b. To become unresponsive to; ignore: tuned out the children's screaming. tune up Idiom: 1. Music To adjust an instrument to a desired pitch or key. 2. To adjust a machine so as to put it into proper condition. 3. To prepare for a specified activity. to the tune of To the sum or extent of: produced profits to the tune of $10 million. [Middle English, variant of tone, tone; see TONE.] tuna·ble, tunea·ble adj. tuna·bly, tunea·bly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
