What is half a tone; -- the name commonly applied to the smaller intervals of the diatonic scale. Note: There is an impropriety in the use of this word, and half step is now preferred. See Tone. J. S. Dwight called?

semitone — Half a tone; -- the name commonly applied to the smaller intervals of the diatonic scale. Note: There is an impropriety in the use of this word, and half step is now preferred. See Tone. J. S. Dwight. (Webster's 1913.)