tune

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French tun, tuen tone Date: 14th century 1. a. archaic quality of sound ; tone b. manner of utterance ; intonation; specifically phonetic modulation 2. a. a pleasing succession of musical tones ; melody b. a dominant theme 3. correct musical pitch or consonance — used chiefly in the phrases in tune and out of tune 4. a. archaic a frame of mind ; mood b. agreement, harmony <

in tune with the times

> c. general attitude ; approach <

changed his tune when the going got rough

> 5. amount, extent <

custom-made to the tune of $40 to $50 apiece — American Fabrics

> II. verb (tuned; tuning) Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to adjust in musical pitch or cause to be in tune <

tuned her guitar

> 2. a. to bring into harmony ; attune b. to adjust for precise functioning — often used with up <

tune up an engine

> c. to make more precise, intense, or effective 3. to adjust with respect to resonance at a particular frequency: as a. to adjust (a radio or television receiver) to respond to waves of a particular frequency — often used with in b. to establish radio contact with <

tune in a directional beacon

> 4. to adjust the frequency of the output of (a device) to a chosen frequency or range of frequencies; also to alter the frequency of (radiation) intransitive verb 1. to become attuned 2. to adjust a radio or television receiver to respond to waves of a particular frequency