Definition of subtonic Subtonic

sub•ton•ic

We found 9 definitions of subtonic from 5 different sources.

What does subtonic mean?

Noun Plural: subtonics
subtonic - (music) the seventh note of the diatonic scale
		leading tone
		musical note, note, tone a characteristic emotional quality; "it ended on a sour note"; "there was a note of gaiety in her manner"; "he detected a note of sarcasm"

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subtonic (Noun)
The note immediately below the upper note of a musical scale .
subtonic (Noun)
An imperfectly articulated sound or utterance, as characterized by Dr. James Rush Guide to Pronunciation, 1833.
subtonic (Adjective)
Of or pertaining to imperfectly articulated sounds or utterances that are inaudible or barely audible, as characterized by Dr. James Rush Guide to Pronunciation, 1833.

subtonic (a.)
Applied to, or distinguishing, a speech element consisting of tone, or proper vocal sound, not pure as in the vowels, but dimmed and otherwise modified by some kind of obstruction in the oral or the nasal passage, and in some cases with a mixture of breath sound; -- a term introduced by Dr. James Rush in 1833. See Guide to Pronunciation, //155, 199-202.
subtonic (n.)
A subtonic sound or element; a vocal consonant, as b, d, g, n, etc.; a subvocal.
subtonic (n.)
The seventh tone of the scale, or that immediately below the tonic; -- called also subsemitone.