Polyphony

Polyphony
Polyphony Po*lyph"o*ny, n. [Gr. ?.] 1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo. [1913 Webster]

2. Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the same vocal sign. [1913 Webster]

3. (Mus.) Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See {Counterpoint}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • polyphony — (n.) 1828, multiplicity of sounde, from Gk. polyphonia variety of sounds, from polys many (see POLY (Cf. poly )) + phone voice, sound (see FAME (Cf. fame)). The meaning counterpoint (1864) is perhaps a back formation from the adjective …   Etymology dictionary

  • polyphony — [pə lif′ə nē] n. [Gr polyphōnia: see POLY & PHONY] 1. multiplicity of sounds, as in an echo 2. Music a combining of a number of independent but harmonizing melodies, as in a fugue or canon; counterpoint 3. Phonet. the representation of two or… …   English World dictionary

  • Polyphony — This article is about the musical texture. For the feature of electronic instruments, see Polyphony (instrument). For the feature of texts, see Polyphony (literature). For the choir, see Polyphony (choir). For the company, see Polyphony Digital.… …   Wikipedia

  • polyphony — polyphonous, adj. polyphonously, adv. /peuh lif euh nee/, n. 1. Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint. 2. Phonet. representation of different sounds by the same letter or symbol. [1820 30; < Gk polyphonía variety of tones. See POLY , PHONY] …   Universalium

  • Polyphony —    The art of combining simultaneous melodies, the hallmark of Western music (excluding the non melodic drones of some Byzantine chant and Hindu music). It is believed that polyphony originated as an improvisation technique, a means of… …   Historical dictionary of sacred music

  • polyphony — polyphonie фр., нем. [полифони/] polyphonia англ. [полифо/ниа] polyphony [поли/фэни] полифония …   Словарь иностранных музыкальных терминов

  • polyphony —   n. Music, composition in separate, but simultaneous and harmonizing, parts; counterpoint; Phonetics, use of one symbol for several sounds.    ♦ polyphonic, a.    ♦ polyphonist, n. composer of polyphony …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • polyphony — polyphonic ► ADJECTIVE 1) having many sounds or voices. 2) Music (especially of vocal music) in two or more parts each having a melody of its own; contrapuntal. DERIVATIVES polyphony noun (pl. polyphonies) . ORIGIN from Greek polu many + ph n …   English terms dictionary

  • Polyphony Digital — Inc. Тип Дочернее общество Sony Computer Entertainment Год основания 1998 год …   Википедия

  • Polyphony Digital — Rechtsform Incorporated, Tochterunternehmen der Sony Corporation Gründung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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