intonate
To intone or recite, especially emphatically or in a chanting mannerTo intone or recite (words), especially emphatically or in a chanting manner.
Meaning
4 senses(dated, intransitive, transitive)To intone or recite (words), especially emphatically or in a chanting manner.
(dated, transitive)To say or speak with a certain intonation.
(dated, transitive)To intone or vocalize (musical notes); to sound the tones of the musical scale; to practise the sol-fa.
(obsolete)To thunder or to utter in a sonorous or thunderous voice.
- speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch or in a particular tone
- recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm
Origin
First attested in 1795; borrowed from Medieval Latin intonātus, perfect passive participleFirst attested in 1795; borrowed from Medieval Latin intonātus, perfect passive participle of intonō (“to vocalize, chant”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (inchoative prefix) + tonus (“pitch, tone”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix); doublet of intone. Cognate with French entonner, Italian intonare.
First attested in 1631; borrowed from Latin intonātus, perfect passive participle of intonō (“to thunder forth”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
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Forms
intonates, intonating, intonated, intonatedSynonyms
3 synonyms- speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch or in a particular tone:intone
- recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm:chantintonecantillate
Word family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle