timbre 
timbre definition
tim·bre (tam′bər; also, tim′-; Fr tan′br')
noun
the characteristic quality of sound that distinguishes one voice or musical instrument from another or one vowel sound from another: it is determined by the harmonics of the sound and is distinguished from the intensity and pitch
Etymology: Fr, timbre, earlier, sound of a bell < MFr, ball struck by a hammer < OFr, a kind of drum < LGr tymbanon < Gr tympanon: see tympan
Related Forms:
- timbral tim′·bral (-brəl) adjective
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