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.

Origin of diatonic

1590–1600; < Late Latin diatonicus < Greek diatonikós; see dia-, tonic

OTHER WORDS FROM diatonic

di·a·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb un·di·a·ton·ic, adjective un·di·a·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb

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), noun

Word Origin for diatonic

C16: from Late Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos extending, from diateinein to stretch out, from dia- + teinein to stretch