half tone

noun

, Music.

1. semitone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of half tone¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

Sometimes, as in “September 2006,” the road is clear and the progress steady: about a half tone every 20 seconds, to span two octaves.

From New York Times

Without the Paris premiere’s first act, in which Carlos and Élisabeth meet and fall in love, the opera now begins in the monastery at San Yuste, haunted by the ghost — or perhaps the living incognito presence — of the old emperor Charles V. As the chorus sings of “l’auguste empereur” who has become ashes and dust — “que cendre et que poussière” — Verdi’s music matches, in its rising half tone, the graduated opening and closing of the French vowels.

From New York Times

Wispelwey has done it at 397 hertz, a full tone below the modern A tuning, and a semitone, or half tone, below the usual baroque A which is 415 hertz.

From Reuters

Another glance toward the window, then lowering his voice an additional half tone, and favoring me with a knowing wink, he said: "Have you heard anything concerning him?"

From Project Gutenberg

Printed on fine laid paper, large 12mo in size, with new cover design in gold, and eight full-page half tone illustrations from the play.

From Project Gutenberg