I. ˈyünəsən, -əzən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from Medieval Latin unisonus, adjective, having the same sound, from Latin uni- + sonus sound — more at sound
1. archaic : a tone identical in pitch with another ; also : a tone from which intervals are reckoned
2.
a. : identity in musical pitch ; specifically : the interval of a perfect prime represented by the vibration ratio of 1:1
b. : the state of being so tuned or sounded
c. : the writing, playing, or singing of parts in a musical passage at the same pitch or in octaves — compare harmony 2b
3.
a. : a harmonious agreement or union : concord
b. : an instance or means of such agreement : a sympathetic response : assent
unisons of overmastering thoughts
•
- in unison
II. adjective
1. archaic
a. : concordant , consonant
b. : equivalent
2.
a. : identical in musical pitch : unisonous
unison singing
a unison passage
b. : tuned to the same pitch — used of a string and especially of any one of two or three piano strings that are struck by one hammer
unison strings
c. : having a pitch that corresponds with the notation (as of a pipe-organ stop)