tunable
Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
Related to tunable: translate, Tunable laser
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.
tunable
(ˈtjuːnəbəl) ortuneable
adj
1. (Music, other) able to be tuned
2. (Music, other) archaic or poetic melodious or tuneful
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tun•a•ble
(ˈtu nə bəl, ˈtyu-)adj.
that can be tuned.
[1490–1500]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.