society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > [noun] > specifically by time signature (3)
A time or measure consisting of two or four minim beats in a bar (more fully alla breve time); (also) the time signature indicating this. Cf. breve…
(a) a semibreve; (b) the length of note indicated by the lower figure in the time signature of a piece.
= alla breve, n. Also: a piece or movement marked to be performed alla cappella. Now rare.