Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

cantus firmus

[kan-tuhs fur-muhs]

noun

the ancient traditional unisonal plainchant of the Christian Church, having its form set and its use prescribed by ecclesiastical tradition.

Music. a fixed melody to which other voices are added, typically in polyphonic treatment.

Origin:
1840–50; < Medieval Latin: literally, firm song

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To cantus firmus

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Cantus firmus is always a great word to know.

So is whole note. Does it mean:

note equivalent in duration to four quarter notes

tone lowered a half step in pitch

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Collins

World English Dictionary

canto fermo or cantus firmus (ˈkæntəʊ ˈfɜːməʊ, ˈkæntəs ˈfɜːməs)

—n
1.	a melody that is the basis to which other parts are added in polyphonic music
2.	the traditional plainchant as prescribed by use and regulation in the Christian Church

[Italian, from Medieval Latin, literally: fixed song]

cantus firmus or cantus firmus

—n

[Italian, from Medieval Latin, literally: fixed song]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Word Dynamo Rating For Cantus firmus

People who can define Cantus firmus may know 45,520 words, as many as a 12th grader.

How many words do you know?

Want cantus firmus ad-free? Click here!

Quote Of The Day

"For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word."

-Catherine Drinker Bowen

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help

cantus firmus

can·tus fir·mus