harmonic
n. countablen. a musical note that sounds higher and lighter than the main note you are playing. It happens when a string or air vibrates in a specific pattern.
n. a component frequency of an oscillation or wave that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. Often used in the plural to describe the overtones that give an instrument its specific timbre.
The guitarist played a clear harmonic at the end of the song.
By lightly touching the string at its midpoint, the cellist produced a clear harmonic one octave above the open note.
The rich, warm timbre of a vintage violin is largely determined by the specific strength and distribution of the harmonics generated alongside the fundamental pitch of each vibrating string.
From Latin harmonicus, from Ancient Greek ἁρμονικός (harmonikós), from ἁρμονία (harmonía, “harmony”). By surface analysis, harmony + -ic.
Frequently used in the plural ('harmonics') when discussing the overall sound quality or timbre of an instrument.