■ noun a melody, especially one which characterizes a certain piece of music.
■ verb
1》 (also ~ up ) adjust (a musical instrument) to the correct or uniform pitch.
2》 adjust (a receiver circuit such as a radio or television) to the frequency of the required signal.
↘( ~ in ) watch or listen to a television or radio broadcast.
3》 adjust (an engine) or balance (mechanical parts) so that they run smoothly and efficiently.
↘( ~ something up ) bring something to the most efficient condition.
4》 adapt to a particular purpose or situation.
↘( ~ into ) become sensitive to.
↘( ~ out ) informal stop paying attention.
Phrases
in (or out of ) ~
1》 with correct (or incorrect) pitch or intonation.
2》 (of a motor engine) properly (or poorly) adjusted.
3》 in (or not in) agreement or harmony.
to the ~ of informal amounting to or involving: he was in debt to the ~ of forty thousand pounds.
Derivatives
tunable (also ~able ) adjective
tuning noun
Origin
ME: unexplained alt. of tone .