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Half a tone; -- the name commonly applied to the smaller intervals of the diatonic scale.

The sensible or leading note, or sharp seventh, of any key; subtonic.

A short grace note, one semitone below the note to which it is prefixed; -- used especially in organ music. Now used as equivalent to the short appoggiatura.

The remaining part of a whole tone after a smaller semitone has been deducted from it; a major semitone. [Obs.]

Proceeding by the smaller intervals (half steps or semitones) of the scale, instead of the regular intervals of the diatonic scale.

line drawn through a figure in the thorough bass, as a direction to raise the interval a semitone.

Semitone. [R.]

c scale (Mus.), a scale consisting of eight sounds with seven intervals, of which two are semitones and five are whole tones; a modern major or minor scale, as distinguished from the chromatic scale.

The interval of three tones and a semitone, embracing five diatonic degrees of the scale; the dominant of any key.

A character [] before a note, indicating a tone which is a half step or semitone lower.

The interval of two tones and a semitone, embracing four diatonic degrees of the scale; the subdominant of any key. The Fourth, specifically, un the United States, the fourth day of July, the anniversary of the declaration of American independence; as, to celebrate the Fourth.

ift, in playing on the violin and kindred instruments. See Shift. -- Half step (Mus.), a semitone; the smallest difference of pitch or interval, used in music. -- Half tide, the time or state of the tide equally distant from ebb and flood. -- Half time, half the ordinary time for work or attendance; as, the half-tim…

See Semitone.

A series of six notes, with a semitone between the third and fourth, the other intervals being whole tones.

), a flower wanting either stamens or pistils. Gray. -- Imperfect interval (Mus.), one a semitone less than perfect; as, an imperfect fifth. -- Imperfect number (Math.), a number either greater or less than the sum of its several divisors; in the former case, it is called also a defective number; in the latter, an ab…

f intervals, in which each concord is alike tempered, and in which there are twelve equal semitones.

Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone. Major axis (Geom.), the greater axis. See Focus, n., 2. -- Major key (Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and three, four and five, five and six and seven, make major seconds, and three and four, and seven and eight, make minor s…

Less by a semitone in interval or difference of pitch; as, a minor third. Asia Minor (Geog.), the Lesser Asia; that part of Asia which lies between the Euxine, or Black Sea, on the north, and the Mediterranean on the south. -- Minor mode (Mus.), that mode, or scale, in which the third and sixth are minor, -- much used…

Lower by a semitone; flat; as, E molle, that is, E flat.

nd eight of the scale, or any interval of equal length; an interval of five tones and two semitones.