I. ˈtün, ˈtyün noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tun, tuen tone
Date: 14th century
1.
a. archaic : quality of sound : tone
b. : manner of utterance : intonation ; specifically : phonetic modulation
2.
a. : a pleasing succession of musical tones : melody
b. : a dominant theme
3. : correct musical pitch or consonance — used chiefly in the phrases in tune and out of tune
4.
a. archaic : a frame of mind : mood
b. : agreement , harmony
in tune with the times
c. : general attitude : approach
changed his tune when the going got rough
5. : amount , extent
custom-made to the tune of $40 to $50 apiece — American Fabrics
II. verb
( tuned ; tun·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to adjust in musical pitch or cause to be in tune
tuned her guitar
2.
a. : to bring into harmony : attune
b. : to adjust for precise functioning — often used with up
tune up an engine
c. : to make more precise, intense, or effective
3. : to adjust with respect to resonance at a particular frequency: as
a. : to adjust (a radio or television receiver) to respond to waves of a particular frequency — often used with in
b. : to establish radio contact with
tune in a directional beacon
4. : to adjust the frequency of the output of (a device) to a chosen frequency or range of frequencies ; also : to alter the frequency of (radiation)
intransitive verb
1. : to become attuned
2. : to adjust a radio or television receiver to respond to waves of a particular frequency