polyphony

[ puh-lif-uh-nee ]
See synonyms for polyphony on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint.

  2. Phonetics. representation of different sounds by the same letter or symbol.

Origin of polyphony

1
First recorded in 1820–30, polyphony is from the Greek word polyphōnía variety of tones. See poly-, -phony

Other words from polyphony

  • po·lyph·o·nous, adjective
  • po·lyph·o·nous·ly, adverb

Words Nearby polyphony

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use polyphony in a sentence

  • polyphony is their vital element; the forms of counterpoint became more appropriate as the number of parts increased.

  • With regard to style of writing for the clavier—a few canonic imitations excepted—there is no real polyphony.

    The Pianoforte Sonata | J.S. Shedlock

British Dictionary definitions for polyphony

polyphony

/ (pəˈlɪfənɪ) /


nounplural -nies
  1. polyphonic style of composition or a piece of music utilizing it

  2. the use of polyphones in a writing system

Origin of polyphony

1
C19: from Greek poluphōnia diversity of tones, from poly- + phōnē speech, sound

Derived forms of polyphony

  • polyphonous, adjective
  • polyphonously, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012