barytons
|ba-ry-tons|
🇺🇸
/ˈbæɹɪtən/
🇬🇧
/ˈbærɪtɒn/
(baryton)
low heavy tone
Etymology
'baryton' originates from French, specifically the word 'baryton', ultimately from Italian 'baritono' and Greek 'βαρύτονος' (barýtonos), where the roots 'βαρύς' (barýs) meant 'heavy' and 'τόνος' (tonos) meant 'tone'.
'baryton' changed from Italian 'baritono' and French 'baryton' and was borrowed into English as 'baryton' (used both for the voice type and the instrument), later coexisting with the form 'baritone'.
Initially, it meant 'deep-sounding' (describing pitch); over time it came to refer specifically to a voice range and to the named musical instrument.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'baryton' — a historical bowed string instrument (popular in the 18th century) with sympathetic or additional strings, used especially in chamber music.
The ensemble featured two barytons in several of Haydn's chamber works, and the barytons contributed a rich, resonant sound.
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Noun 2
plural of 'baryton' used as an archaic or alternate form of 'baritone' — male singing voice or part with a range between bass and tenor.
The chorus included several barytons whose parts blended well with the basses to create a warm midrange.
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Last updated: 2026/01/16 19:18