intone

[in-tohn] /ɪnˈtoʊn/
verb (used with object), intoned, intoning.
1.
to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation.
2.
to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
3.
to utter in a singing voice (the first tones of a section in a liturgical service).
4.
to recite or chant in monotone.
verb (used without object), intoned, intoning.
5.
to speak or recite in a singing voice, especially in monotone; chant.
6.
Music. to produce a tone, or a particular series of tones, like a scale, especially with the voice.
Origin
1475-85; < Medieval Latin intonāre; replacing earlier entone < Middle French entoner < Medieval Latin; see in-2, tone
Related forms
intoner, noun
half-intoned, adjective
unintoned, adjective
Examples from the web for intone
  • Violins shiver, cellos intone, acoustic guitars twinkle.
  • There the swells would sip martinis, intone the odd witticism or inanity and occasionally commit some headline indiscretion.
  • Doctors intone grave warnings about the dangers of stress.
British Dictionary definitions for intone

intone

/ɪnˈtəʊn/
verb
1.
to utter, recite, or sing (a chant, prayer, etc) in a monotonous or incantatory tone
2.
(intransitive) to speak with a particular or characteristic intonation or tone
3.
to sing (the opening phrase of a psalm, etc) in plainsong
Derived Forms
intoner, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin intonare, from in-² + tone
Word Origin and History for intone
v.

late 14c., entunen "sing, chant, recite," from Old French entoner "sing, chant" (13c.), from Medieval Latin intonare "sing according to tone," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + tonus "tone," from Greek tonos (see tenet). A different verb intone was in use 17c.18c., from Latin intonare "to thunder, resound," figuratively "to cry out vehemently," from tonare "to thunder." Related: Intoned; intoning.