plainsong

or plain song

[ pleyn-sawng, -song ]

noun

1. the unisonous vocal music used in the Christian church from the earliest times.
2. modal liturgical music; Gregorian chant.
3. a cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal development.
4. any simple and unadorned melody or air.

plainsong

/ ˈpleɪnˌsɒŋ /

noun

1. the style of unison unaccompanied vocal music used in the medieval Church, esp in Gregorian chant Also calledplainchant

Word History and Origins

Origin of plainsong¹

1505–15; translation of Medieval Latin cantus plānus

Word History and Origins

Origin of plainsong¹

C16: translation of Medieval Latin cantus plānus

Example Sentences

He appears familiar with the plainsong, and has based a symphony and portions of a quartet on Gregorian modes.

From Project Gutenberg

And Winchester, too, has all and more than all, the surprise of the plainsong; the better you know it the more you are impressed.

From Project Gutenberg

Descant in music is the melodious accompaniment to a simple theme, the plainsong or ground.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a chapel in the house, of a High Anglican kind, where vestments and incense were used, and plainsong sung.

From Project Gutenberg

Florid music, or all church music that is not Plainsong, or its Lutheran equivalent the chorale-melody.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• melody
• opera
• piece
• rap
• rock
• singing
• soul
• tune