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subtonic

American

[suhb-ton-ik] / sʌbˈtɒn ɪk /

noun

the seventh tone of a scale, being the next below the upper tonic.

subtonic British

/ sʌbˈtɒnɪk /

noun

Also called: leading note. music the seventh degree of a major or minor scale

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of subtonic

First recorded in 1825–35; sub- + tonic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The elementary sounds of speech are of three natural divisions; the tonics, the subtonics, and the atonics.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter philosopher resolves the letters into "tonics, subtonics, and atonics;" and avers that "consonants alone may form syllables."

From Project Gutenberg

Proceed in a similar manner with the other subtonics.

From Project Gutenberg

The Atonics correspond with the first eleven of the subtonics as given above, from which they differ almost alone in having no vocality.

From Project Gutenberg

Some syllables that so end, by virtue of tonic or subtonic elements which they may contain, are capable of some prolongation; for example, warp, dart, block, grab, dread, grog.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023