A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Overtones
OVERTONES. A word formed in imitation of the German Obertöne which Helmholtz uses as a contraction for Oberpartialtöne, meaning Upper Partial Tones. Like 'Clang' and 'Clangtint' the word Overtones is rejected by the English translator of Helmholtz's work as not agreeing with English idiom.
[ J. L. ]