timbre Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
    quality; tone; timber.
    • the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely
    • the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet

WordNet

Tim"bre noun
Definitions
  1. See 1st Timber.
Tim"bre noun
Etymology
F., a bell to be struck with a hammer, sound, tone, stamp, crest, in OF., a timbrel. Cf. Timbrel.
Definitions
  1. (Her.) The crest on a coat of arms.
  2. (Mus.) The quality or tone distinguishing voices or instruments; tone color; clang tint; as, the timbre of the voice; the timbre of a violin. See Tone, and Partial tones, under Partial.

Webster 1913