c. 1600, from French diatonique, from Latin diatonicus, from Greek diatonikos, from diatonos "extending; pertaining to the diatonic scale," from dia- (see dia-) + teinein "to stretch&qu [..]

Proceeding in the order of the octave based on five tones (steps) and two semitones (half steps). The major and natural minor scales and the modes are all diatonic In the major scale, the semitones (h [..]

The contrary of 'chromatic'. Said of melody or harmony using only the unaltered major (or sometimes minor) scale.

(adj) based on the standard major or minor scales consisting of 5 tones and 2 semitones without modulation by accidentals(adj) based on or using the five tones and two semitones of the major or minor [..]

melody or harmony confined to the tones of the scale; the opposite of chromatic.

[0] 1. part of the key, 2. having different letter names, e.g., C#,D.

Proceeding in the order of the octave based on five tones and two semitones. The major and natural minor scales and the modes are all diatonic In the major scale, the semitones fall between the third [..]

Pertaining to the notes of a major or minor scale