'Key tone' definitions:

Definition of 'Key tone'

From: GCIDE
  • Key tone \Key" tone`\n. (Mus.) See Keynote. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'key tone'

From: GCIDE
  • Keynote \Key"note`\, n.
  • 1. (Mus.) The tonic or first tone of the scale in which a piece or passage is written; the fundamental tone of the chord, to which all the modulations of the piece are referred; -- called also key tone. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The fundamental fact or idea; that which gives the key; as, the keynote of a policy or a sermon. [1913 Webster]