Dictionary

untuned en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English tuned English untuned From un- + tuned.

Meanings

1. Of a musical instrument. ▸ Not tuned, and thus off-key.
2. Of a musical instrument. ▸ Not designed to produce specific pitches.
   • Many types of cymbals and drums are untuned.
   • [W]e thinke the Egle-vvinged pride / Of skie-aſpiring and ambitious thoughts, / VVith rituall-hating enuy ſet on you / To vvake our peace, vvhich in our Countries cradle / Dravves the ſvveet infant breath of gentle ſleepe / VVhich ſo rouzde vp vvith boiſtrous vntunde drummes, / And grating ſhocke of vvrathfully yron armes, / Might from our quiet confines fright faire Peace, […] 1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], signature B3, verso:

Forms