— intonational , adj.
/in'toh nay"sheuhn, -teuh-/ , n.
1. the pattern or melody of pitch changes in connected speech, esp. the pitch pattern of a sentence, which distinguishes kinds of sentences or speakers of different language cultures.
2. the act or manner of intonating.
3. the manner of producing musical tones, specifically the relation in pitch of tones to their key or harmony.
4. something that is intoned or chanted.
5. the opening phrase in a Gregorian chant, usually sung by one or two voices.
[ 1610-20; intonation- (s. of intonatio ). See INTONATE, -ION ]