plainsong

See also: plain-song and plain song

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

plain + song, calque of Latin cantus planus.

Noun

plainsong (countable and uncountable, plural plainsongs)

  1. (music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
    Synonym: plainchant
  2. (music) A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
  3. (music) The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
  4. (by extension) A plain unvarnished statement, without exaggeration.

Translations

See also

References

  • plainsong in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Anagrams

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