Intone
/ɪnˈtoʊn/noun
To speak or chant in a particular measured tone, especially with solemnity.
Did you know?Intone comes from the same Latin root as *tone*, and in medieval church Latin it was tied to chanting scripture in a controlled, almost ceremonial voice.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
intonare
“to thunder at, to sound into; to utter with a loud or ringing voice”
Late Latin
Latin
intonare
“to chant or pronounce with a set tone”
Old French
Old French
entoner
“to sing or sound in a given key; to begin a chant”
Middle English
English
intonen
“to sing or recite in a measured tone”
Modern English
English
intone
“to utter in a measured, musical, or solemn voice”
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