Tune | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Tūne, n.

noun

n. [A different form of tone, q. v.]

Sound; note; tone. Shak.
(Mus.) (a.) A rhythmical, melodious series of musical tones for one voice or instrument, or for any number of voices or instruments in unison, or two or more such series forming parts in harmony; a melody; an air; as, a merry tune; a mournful tune; a slow tune; a psalm tune. See AIR. (b.) The state of giving the proper sound or sounds; harmonious accordance; pitch of the voice or an instrument; adjustment of the parts of an instrument so as to harmonize with itself or with others. “Like sweet bells jangled out of tune.” Shak.
Hence, order; harmony; concord; fit disposition, temper, or humor.

A continual Parliament, I thought, would but keep the commonweal in tune. K. Charles. A child will learn three times as fast when he is in tune, as he will when he is dragged to his task. Locke.

Tūne, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. TUNED; p. pr. & vb. n. TUNING.]

To put into a state adapted to produce the proper sounds; to harmonize; to cause to be in tune; as, to tune a piano-forte; to tune a violin. “Tune your harps.” Dryden.
Hence, to put into a proper state or disposition.
To give tone to; to attune; to adapt in style of music.

For now to sorrow I must tune my song. Milton. 4. To sing with melody or harmony. Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, Melodious murmurs, warbling, tune his praise. Milton.

Tūne, v. i.

verbintransitive

Sense 1. To form one sound to another; to form accordant musical sounds.

While tuning to the waters’ fall, The small birds sang to her. Drayton.

Sense 2. To utter inarticulate harmony with the voice: to sing without pronouncing words; to hum. [R.]