tuning fork

tuning fork
a steel instrument consisting of a stem with two prongs, producing a musical tone of definite, constant pitch when struck, and serving as a standard for tuning musical instruments, making acoustical experiments, and the like.
[1765-75]

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▪ mechanical device
      narrow, two-pronged steel bar that when tuned to a specific musical pitch retains its tuning almost indefinitely. It was apparently invented by George Frideric Handel's trumpeter John Shore shortly before Shore's death in 1752.

      Because it produces a nearly pure tone (without overtones), it is useful in experimental study of the physics of sound. It has also been used in musical instruments—e.g., the dulcitone, or typophone, a set of graduated tuning forks struck by felt hammers by means of a keyboard mechanism.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tuning fork — Tuning Tun ing, a. & n. from {Tune}, v. [1913 Webster] {Tuning fork} (Mus.), a steel instrument consisting of two prongs and a handle, which, being struck, gives a certain fixed tone. It is used for tuning instruments, or for ascertaining the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tuning fork — 1799, from gerundive of TUNE (Cf. tune) (v.) + FORK (Cf. fork). Invented 1711 by John Shore …   Etymology dictionary

  • tuning fork — tuning forks N COUNT A tuning fork is a small steel instrument which is used to tune instruments by striking it against something to produce a note of fixed musical pitch …   English dictionary

  • tuning fork — ► NOUN ▪ a two pronged steel device used for tuning instruments, which vibrates when struck to give a note of specific pitch …   English terms dictionary

  • tuning fork — n. a small steel instrument with two prongs, which when struck sounds a certain fixed tone in perfect pitch: it is used as a guide in tuning instruments, in testing hearing, etc …   English World dictionary

  • tuning fork — n a small U shaped steel instrument that makes a particular musical note when you hit it …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Tuning fork — A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two pronged fork with the tines formed from a U shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or… …   Wikipedia

  • tuning fork — noun a metal implement with two prongs that gives a fixed tone when struck; used to tune musical instruments • Hypernyms: ↑implement * * * noun, pl ⋯ forks [count] : a metal device that has two long points, that produces a particular note when it …   Useful english dictionary

  • tuning fork — UK [ˈtjuːnɪŋ ˌfɔː(r)k] / US [ˈtunɪŋ ˌfɔrk] noun [countable] Word forms tuning fork : singular tuning fork plural tuning forks music a metal object that produces a particular note when you hit it, used by someone making small changes to a musical… …   English dictionary

  • tuning fork — tun·ing fork t(y)ün iŋ n a 2 pronged metal implement that gives a fixed tone when struck * * * a fork shaped metal instrument with two tines, which produces harmonic vibration when the tines are struck; used to test hearing by air and bone… …   Medical dictionary

  • tuning fork — kamertonas statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. tuning fork vok. Stimmgabel, f rus. камертон, m pranc. diapason, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

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