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cantus

[ kan-tuhs ]

noun

, plural can·tus.


cantus

/ ˈkæntəs /

noun

  1. a medieval form of church singing; chant
  2. Also calledcanto the highest part in a piece of choral music
  3. (in 15th- or 16th-century music) a piece of choral music, usually secular, in polyphonic style


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Word History and Origins

Origin of cantus1

From Latin, dating back to 1580–90; canto

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cantus1

Latin: song, from canere to sing

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Example Sentences

Write four times, changing the cantus firmus into every part.

Tua vox est dulcior quam cantus avium aut murmur rivuli in montibus.

Two-part counterpoint comprises a cantus firmus and a counterpoint.

Two notes are written in the counterpoint to one of the cantus firmus, except in the last measure.

To cantus firmus a write two counterpoints above and two below in the first species.

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