monotone

Definition

Having a single unvaried pitch.

Etymology

From the post-Classical Latin monotonus (“unvarying in tone”) or its etymon the Ancient Greek μονότονος (monótonos, “steady”, “unwavering”); compare cognate adjectives, namely the French monotone, the German monoton, the Italian monotono, and the Spanish monótono, as well as the slightly earlier English noun monotony and adjective monotonical.

Example Sentences

• "The prominence of the syllables is more monotone than in English, the intonation of the latter having a larger variation of stressed and unstressed syllables."
• "In the formal register, such variation is reduced and the talk has a more monotone, business-like quality."
• "The function f(x)#58;#61;x³ is monotone on #92;R, while g(x)#58;#61;x² is not."