[f. AT- pref.3 + TUNE v.; probably suggested by ATONE.]
1. To bring into musical accord. Const. to.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. xii. 76. Gan all the quire of birdes Their diverse notes t’attune unto his lay.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XVII. 312. For Phemius to the lyre attuned the strain.
1814. Wordsw., Wh. Doe, I. 327. Fancies wild: To which with no reluctant strings Thou hast attuned thy murmurings.
1867. Macfarren, Harmony, iv. (1876), 144. Were all the notes perfectly attuned to the true natural scale.
b. fig. To bring into harmony or accord.
1727. Thomson, Summer, 1365. Social friends Attun’d to happy union of soul.
1849. Freeman, Archit., 90. The mind attuned to grace and harmony.
2. To bring (a musical instrument) to the right pitch; to tune. Also fig.
1728. Thomson, Spring, 1116. Harmony itself Attuning all their passions into love.
1866. Argyll, Reign Law, v. 276. The physical causes which have ‘attuned’ a material organ so as to catch certain ethereal pulsations in the external world.
1875. B. Taylor, Faust, I. xxi. 186. I hear the noise of instruments attuning.
3. To make tuneful or melodious.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 265. Aires, vernal aires … attune The trembling leaves.
c. 1750. Shenstone, Ruin’d Abbey, 14. Birds … Attune from native boughs their various lay.
1796. Coleridge, Dejection. Joy lift her spirit, joy attune her voice.
