tunably
Also found in: Idioms.
tune
(to͞on, tyo͞on)n.
1. Music
a. A melody, especially a simple and easily remembered one.
b. A song.
c. The state of being in correct pitch: sang out of tune; played in tune with the piano.
d. Obsolete A musical tone.
2.
a. Concord or agreement; harmony: in tune with the times.
b. Archaic Frame of mind; disposition.
3. Electronics Adjustment of a receiver or circuit for maximum response to a given signal or frequency.
v. tuned, tun·ing, tunes
v.tr.
1.
a. Music To put into proper pitch: tuned the violin.
b. Archaic To utter musically; sing.
2. To adjust or adopt in order to meet specific requirements or conditions, especially:
a. To adjust (an electronic receiver) to a desired frequency.
b. To adjust (an electronic circuit) so as to make it resonant with a given input signal.
c. To adjust (an engine, for example) for maximum usability or performance.
d. To adjust the wavelength output of (a laser).
v.intr.
Phrasal Verbs: To become attuned.
tune in
1. Electronics To adjust a receiver to receive signals at a particular frequency or a particular program.
2. Slang To make or become aware or responsive: "Nobody tunes in to what anybody else is saying" (Bruce Allen).
tune out
1. Electronics To adjust a receiver so as not to receive a particular signal.
2. Slang
a. To disassociate oneself from one's environment: "The average reader, used to seeing the world in three-dimensional color, tunes out" (Carlin Romano).
b. To become unresponsive to; ignore: tuned out the children's screaming.
tune up
Idiom: 1. Music To adjust an instrument to a desired pitch or key.
2. To adjust a machine so as to put it into proper condition.
3. To prepare for a specified activity.
to the tune of
To the sum or extent of: produced profits to the tune of $10 million.
[Middle English, variant of tone, tone; see tone.]
tun′a·ble, tune′a·ble adj.
tun′a·bly, tune′a·bly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tunably
ortuneably
adv
archaic in a melodious or tuneful manner
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014