polytonality

[ pol-ee-toh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

, Music.

1. the use of more than one key at the same time.

polytonality

/ ˌpɒlɪtəʊˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. music the simultaneous use of more than two different keys or tonalities

Derived Forms

• ˌpolyˈtonal, adjective
• ˌpolyˈtonally, adverb
• ˌpolyˈtonalist, noun

Other Words From

• pol·y·ton·al·ist [pol-ee-, tohn, -l-ist], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of polytonality¹

First recorded in 1920–25; poly- + tonality