keynote

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: tonic

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. the principal theme in a speech or literary work
  2. a fundamental or central idea
  3. (music) the first note of a diatonic scaleSynonyms: tonic

Verb (2)

  1. set the keynote of“Comfort keynotes this designer's Fall collection”
  2. give the keynote address to (an audience)
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Webster's Dictionary (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]

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