Definition for DI-A-TON'IC

DI-A-TON'IC, a. [Gr. δια; by or through, and τονος, sound.]

Ascending or descending, as in sound, or from sound to sound. This epithet is given to a scale or gammut, to intervals of a certain kind, or to music composed of these intervals; as, a diatonic series; a diatonic interval; diatonic melody or harmony. It is applied to ordinary music, containing only the two greater and lesser tones, and the greater semitone. Encyc. Harris.

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