cantus firmus

can·tus fir·mus

C0078700 (kăn′təs fîr′məs, fûr′-)n. A preexisting melody used as the basis of a polyphonic composition, especially in polyphony of the 1300s and 1400s.

[Medieval Latin : Latin cantus, song + Latin firmus, fixed.]

can•tus fir•mus

(ˈkæn təs ˈfɜr məs)
n., pl. cantus firmus. 1. plainsong. 2. a fixed melody to which other voices are added, typically in polyphonic treatment. [1840–50; < Medieval Latin: literally, firm song]

Thesaurus

Noun

cantus firmus - a melody used as the basis for a polyphonic compositionGregorian chant, plainchant, plainsong - a liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church

Cantus Firmus

a melody borrowed from any secular or religious work or specially created and used as the basis for a polyphonic musical composition. The method of cantus firmus developed in Western European music in the 12th century, became particularly widespread in the 16th, and began losing its importance in the 17th.

cantus firmus

can·tus fir·mus

can•tus fir•mus

Cantus Firmus

Cantus Firmus

cantus firmus

Words related to cantus firmus

noun a melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition

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