quodlibetical
ləˌbɛt 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; Middle English < Medieval Latin quodlibetum; compare Latin quod libet what pleases, as you please
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin quodlibetum; compare Latin quod libet what pleases, as you please
Related forms
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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To quodlibetical
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World English Dictionary
quodlibet (ˈkwɒdlɪˌbɛt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a light piece of music based on two or more popular tunes |
| 2. | a subtle argument, esp one prepared as an exercise on a theological topic |
| [C14: from Latin, from quod what + libet pleases, that is, whatever you like] | |
| quodli'betical | |
| —adj | |
| quodli'betically | |
| —adv | |
00:10
Quodlibetical
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| quodlibet (ˈkwɒdlɪˌbɛt) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a light piece of music based on two or more popular tunes |
| 2. | a subtle argument, esp one prepared as an exercise on a theological topic |
| [C14: from Latin, from quod what + libet pleases, that is, whatever you like] | |
| quodli'betical | |
| —adj | |
| quodli'betically | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
quodlibet
"a nicety, subtlety," late 14c., from L., lit. "what you will," from quod "what" + libet "it pleases" (see love).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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