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View synonyms for harmonics

harmonics

[ hahr-mon-iks ]

noun

, Music.
  1. (used with a singular verb) the science of musical sounds.
  2. (used with a plural verb) the partials or overtones of a fundamental tone. Compare overtone ( def 1 ).
  3. (used with a plural verb) the flageoletlike tones of a string, as a violin string, made to vibrate so as to bring out an overtone.


harmonics

/ hɑːˈmɒnɪks /

noun

  1. functioning as singular the science of musical sounds and their acoustic properties
  2. functioning as plural the overtones of a fundamental note, as produced by lightly touching the string of a stringed instrument at one of its node points while playing See harmonic
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of harmonics1

First recorded in 1700–10; harmonic, -ics
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Example Sentences

It produced comparatively little foundation tone and a powerful chord of harmonics, many of them dissonant.

The dull tone of the old Diapasons was due to the absence of the upper harmonics or partials.

Although almost inaudible when played alone this stop generated harmonics which powerfully reinforced the tone of the full organ.

The vibrations of the steel tongue produce a compound sound composed of a fundamental and its harmonics.

The lower harmonics of the series cannot be obtained, owing to the limited capacity of the resonating cavity.

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harmonic progressionharmonic series