expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
Describes a melody, tone, voice, or atmosphere that carries a sorrowful or plaintive quality. Used prenominally to modify nouns like 曲, 声, 調べ.
She told old stories in a plaintive voice.
その哀調を帯びたメロディーは聴く人の心を打つ。
That plaintive melody touches the hearts of those who hear it.
Standard kanji spelling for this fixed expression.
Kana spelling of 帯びた; slightly less formal but still seen.
Compound of 哀調 (plaintive tone) + を + 帯びた (past form of 帯びる, 'to carry' or 'to be tinged with'). The expression is a fixed literary phrase.