harmonics

[hahr-mon-iks]

noun

Music.

1. (used with a singular verb),  the science of musical sounds.

2. (used with a plural verb),  the partials or overtones of a fundamental tone.

3. (used with a plural verb),  the flageoletlike tones of a string, as a violin string, made to vibrate so as to bring out an overtone.

harmonics

/ hɑːˈmɒnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the science of musical sounds and their acoustic properties

2. (functioning as plural) the overtones of a fundamental note, as produced by lightly touching the string of a stringed instrument at one of its node points while playing See harmonic

Word History and Origins

Origin of harmonics¹

First recorded in 1700–10; harmonic, -ics

Related Words

• arrangement 
• chord 
• composition 
• melody 
• tune 
• unity