note

note in musical notation , symbol placed on or between the lines of a staff to indicate the pitch and the relative duration of the tone to be produced by voice or instrument. The largest note value in common use in the United States is the whole note, an elliptical outline. Its value is halved by the addition of a stem. A solid note with a stem is the quarter note, the most usual metric unit in modern notation. The eighth note resembles the quarter note, with the addition of a flag at the end of the stem; with each flag added, the value of the note is again halved. For each note value, there is a rest of corresponding value; rests are named in the same way as notes, e.g., whole rest, half rest.

note.
1. A single sound of a given mus. pitch and duration; in Amer. called a tone.

2. A written sign representing (1).

3. A finger-key of the pf., organ, accordion, etc. to produce a sound of particular pitch.

note / nōt/ • n. 1. a brief record of facts, topics, or thoughts, written down as an aid to memory: I'll make a note in my diary | Robyn arranged her notes on the lectern. ∎  a short comment on or explanation of a word or passage in a book or article; an annotation: see note iv above. 2. a short informal letter or written message: I left her a note explaining where I was going. ∎  an official letter sent from the representative of one government to another. ∎  a short official document that certifies a particular thing: you need a sick note from your doctor. 3. Brit. a banknote: a ten-pound note. 4. a single tone of definite pitch made by a musical instrument or the human voice: the last notes of the symphony died away. ∎  a written sign representing the pitch and duration of such a sound. ∎  a key of a piano or similar instrument: black notes | white notes. ∎  a bird's song or call, or a single tone in this: the tawny owl has a harsh flight note. 5. [in sing.] a particular quality or tone that reflects or expresses a mood or attitude: there was a note of scorn in her voice | the decade could have ended on an optimistic note. ∎  any of the basic components of fragrance or flavor: the fresh note of bergamot. • v. [tr.] 1. notice or pay particular attention to (something): noting his mother's unusual gaiety| please note that you will not receive a reminder that final payment is due. ∎  remark upon (something), typically in order to draw someone's attention to it: we noted earlier the difficulties inherent in this strategy. 2. record (something) in writing: he noted down her address on a piece of paper. PHRASES: hit (or strike) the right (or wrong) note say or do something in exactly the right (or wrong) way. of note 1. worth paying attention to: many of his comments are worthy of note. 2. important; distinguished: Roman historians of note include Livy, Tacitus, and Sallust. strike a false note appear insincere or inappropriate: she greeted him gushingly, and that struck a false note. strike (or sound) a note of express (a particular feeling or view) about something: he sounded a note of caution about the trend toward health foods. take note pay attention: employers should take note of the needs of disabled people.