minor mode

American  

noun

Music.

1. a scale or key in which the third degree is a minor third above the tonic.

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minor mode British  

noun

1. music any arrangement of notes present in or characteristic of a minor scale or key

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Etymology

Origin of minor mode

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minor mode

The proposal says that the minor mode feature would try to prevent “internet addiction” by limiting children younger than 8 to 40 minutes of smartphone time a day.

From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

The CAC's proposal requires industry players including mobile phone device makers, apps and app stores to develop a function called "minor mode" to set usage limits - which vary by age.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2023

"Monkeypox can be biologically transmitted through respiratory droplets, but is that what's driving the spread? Or is it a minor mode of transmission or is that a major mode of transmission?"

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2022

Almost immediately Shipp is holding the sustain pedal and blanketing the keyboard in a minor mode, and Bisio alternating between a low pedal and tension cords of notes on the higher strings.

From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2022

These Greek modes are the basis on which all our modern ideas of tonality rest; for our major mode is simply the Greek Lydian, and our minor mode the Æolian.

From Critical and Historical Essays Lectures delivered at Columbia University by Baltzell, W. J. (Winton James)