diatonic
[ dahy-uh-ton-ik ]
/ ˌdaɪ əˈtɒn ɪk /
adjective Music.
noting those scales that contain five whole tones and two semitones, as the major, minor, and certain modal scales.
of or relating to the tones, intervals, or harmonies of such scales.
OTHER WORDS FROM diatonic
di·a·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb un·di·a·ton·ic, adjective un·di·a·ton·i·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby diatonic
diatom,
diatomaceous,
diatomaceous earth,
diatomic,
diatomite,
diatonic,
diatonicism,
diatreme,
diatribe,
diatropism,
diaz
Example sentences from the Web for diatonic
British Dictionary definitions for diatonic
diatonic
/ (ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪk) /
adjective
of, relating to, or based upon any scale of five tones and two semitones produced by playing the white keys of a keyboard instrument, esp the natural major or minor scales forming the basis of the key system in Western music
Compare chromatic (def. 2)
not involving the sharpening or flattening of the notes of the major or minor scale nor the use of such notes as modified by accidentals
Derived forms of diatonic
diatonically, adverb diatonicism (ˌdaɪəˈtɒnɪˌsɪzəm), nounWord Origin for diatonic
C16: from Late Latin
diatonicus, from Greek
diatonikos, from
diatonos extending, from
diateinein to stretch out, from
dia- +
teinein to stretch