The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tone \Tone\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Toned; p. pr. & vb. n. Toning.]
To utter with an affected tone.
To give tone, or a particular tone, to; to tune. See Tune, v. t.
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(Photog.) To bring, as a print, to a certain required shade of color, as by chemical treatment. To tone down.
To cause to give lower tone or sound; to give a lower tone to.
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(Paint.) To modify, as color, by making it less brilliant or less crude; to modify, as a composition of color, by making it more harmonius.
Its thousand hues toned down harmoniusly.
--C. Kingsley. -
Fig.: To moderate or relax; to diminish or weaken the striking characteristics of; to soften.
The best method for the purpose in hand was to employ some one of a character and position suited to get possession of their confidence, and then use it to tone down their religious strictures.
--Palfrey.To tone up, to cause to give a higher tone or sound; to give a higher tone to; to make more intense; to heighten; to strengthen.
Usage examples of "to tone down".
Mailer raged against the 'snobs, snots and fools' of the literary establishment but refused - at first - to tone down his mannered portrait of Hollywood amorality.
Still, he made a mental note to suggest that she might want to tone down the inside info in her next letter.
Whether this is because they've heard some ugly rumours or just because on this day they are required to tone down the celebrating, I don't know, but even Irith Victorious looks subdued.
He hustled his step to meet Corsi, hoping his prox-imity might prompt her to tone down.