in-fighting in-fighting /ˈɪnˌfaɪtɪŋ/

noun

1. () Conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)  ( in-fighting )
   conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)
   
2. Boxing at close quarters  ( in-fighting )
   boxing at close quarters
    The boxing match was intense, with a lot of in-fighting between the two opponents.
   The boxing match was intense, with a lot of in-fighting between the two opponents.
   
   

 blowball blowball /ˈbloʊbɔːl/

noun

1. Any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls  ( blowball , dandelion )
   any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls
    Some people use dandelion greens in salads, but I've never tried them
   Some people use dandelion greens in salads, but I've never tried them
   
   

 refracting telescope refracting telescope /rɪˈfræktɪŋ ˈtɛlɪˌskoʊp/

noun

1. Optical telescope that has a large convex lens that produces an image that is viewed through the eyepiece  ( refracting telescope )
   optical telescope that has a large convex lens that produces an image that is viewed through the eyepiece
    I observed the rings of Saturn through a refracting telescope at the planetarium.
   I observed the rings of Saturn through a refracting telescope at the planetarium.
   
   

 tone tone /ˈtoʊn/

noun

1. () The quality of a person's voice  ( tone of voice , tone )
   the quality of a person's voice
    He began in a conversational tone
   he began in a conversational tone
    He spoke in a nervous tone of voice
   he spoke in a nervous tone of voice
   
2. () (linguistics) a pitch or change in pitch of the voice that serves to distinguish words in tonal languages  ( tone )
   (linguistics) a pitch or change in pitch of the voice that serves to distinguish words in tonal languages
    The Beijing dialect uses four tones
   the Beijing dialect uses four tones
   
3. () (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice, noise or musical sound)  ( timber [Non-standard] , timbre , quality , tone )
   (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice, noise or musical sound)
    The timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely
   the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely
    The muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet
   the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet
   
4. () The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people  ( flavour [Canadian, British] , look , feel , feeling , flavor [American] , smell , spirit , tone )
   the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
    The feel of the city excited him
   the feel of the city excited him
    A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
   a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
    It had the smell of treason
   it had the smell of treason
   
5. () A quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color  ( tincture , tint , tone , shade )
   a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
    After several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted
   after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted
   
   
6. () A steady sound without overtones  ( pure tone , tone )
   a steady sound without overtones
    They tested his hearing with pure tones of different frequencies
   they tested his hearing with pure tones of different frequencies
   
7. () A notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound  ( musical note , tone , note )
   a notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound
    The singer held the note too long
   the singer held the note too long
   
   
8. The quality of something (an act or a piece of writing) that reveals the attitudes and presuppositions of the author  ( tone )
   the quality of something (an act or a piece of writing) that reveals the attitudes and presuppositions of the author
    The general tone of articles appearing in the newspapers is that the government should withdraw
   the general tone of articles appearing in the newspapers is that the government should withdraw
    From the tone of her behavior I gathered that I had outstayed my welcome
   from the tone of her behavior I gathered that I had outstayed my welcome
   
9. A musical interval of two semitones  ( step , tone , whole step , whole tone )
   a musical interval of two semitones
   
   
10. The elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc. that facilitate response to stimuli  ( tone , tonicity , tonus )
    the elastic tension of living muscles, arteries, etc. that facilitate response to stimuli
     The doctor tested my tonicity
    the doctor tested my tonicity
    

verb

1. Give a healthy elasticity to  ( strengthen , tone , tone up )
   give a healthy elasticity to
    Let's tone our muscles
   Let's tone our muscles
   
2. Change to a color image  ( tone )
   change to a color image
    Tone a photographic image
   tone a photographic image
   
3. Change the color or tone of  ( tone )
   change the color or tone of
    Tone a negative
   tone a negative
   
4. Vary the pitch of one's speech  ( inflect , modulate , tone )
   vary the pitch of one's speech
   
5. Utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically  ( tone , chant , intone )
   utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically
    The students chanted the same slogan over and over again
   The students chanted the same slogan over and over again