/ ˈtəʊnl; NAmE ˈtoʊnl/ adjective
1.
( technical ) relating to tones of sound or colour
2.
( music ) having a particular key
OPP atonal
► tonal·ly adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent. (designating church music in plainsong mode): from medieval Latin tonalis , from Latin tonus , from Greek tonos tension, tone, from teinein to stretch.