The distinguishing quality of a sound, by which one may determine its source, based principally on the distribution of overtones. SYN: tone color. [Fr.]
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a) the resonance by which the ear recognizes and identifies a voiced speech sound
b) the quality of tone distinctive of a particular singing voice or musical instrument
tim·bral 'tam-brəl, 'tim- adj
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tim·bre (tamґbər) [Fr.] a musical quality in a tone or sound.Medical dictionary. 2011.