I. ˈmänə+ˌ- noun
Etymology: mon- + tone
1.
a. : a succession of syllables, words, or sentences in one unvaried key or pitch
speaking in an old man's monotone , just too loud for ordinary conversation — G.R.Clay
— compare polytone
b. : a sound resembling a monotone
the brook's monotone
a monotone of street noises filtered through
2.
a. : a single unvaried musical tone
b. : recitation especially of liturgy in such a tone : intoning
c. : a person not able to properly produce or distinguish between musical intervals
3. : a monotonous reiteration or recurrence : tedious repetition
a monotone of flat fields watered by numerous creeks — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
4. : uniformity of style usually characterized by a lack of brilliance especially in writing
an odd, unconvincing, and regrettably sketchy story, told in a monotone — Brendan Gill
5. : uniformity of color
the land itself is often a gray monotone — G.R.Stewart
II. adjective
Etymology: probably from French, from Greek monotonos — more at monotonous
1. : monotonous
the monotone sound of the sea
2. : having a uniform color
her monotone suit
3. : monotonic 3
III. verb
Etymology: monotone (I)
transitive verb
: to talk, recite, or chant in an unvaried tone : intone
ponderous professors had monotoned us through modern literature — Ellen Hanford
intransitive verb
: to recite or chant something in an unvaried tone
listened to the choir monotoning