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quodlibetic

 - 2 dictionary results

quod⋅li⋅bet

[kwod-luh-bet]
–noun
1. a subtle or elaborate argument or point of debate, usually on a theological or scholastic subject.
2. Music. a humorous composition consisting of two or more independent and harmonically complementary melodies, usually quotations of well-known tunes, played or sung together, usually to different texts, in a polyphonic arrangement.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML quodlibetum; cf. L quod libet what pleases, as you please


quod⋅li⋅bet⋅ic, quod⋅li⋅bet⋅i⋅cal, adjective
quod⋅li⋅bet⋅i⋅cl⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

quodlibet 
"a nicety, subtlety," 1377, from L., lit. "what you will," from quod "what" + libet "it pleases" (see love).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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