cantus

[kan-tuhs]

noun

plural

cantus 

1. cantus firmus.

cantus

/ ˈkæntəs /

noun

1. a medieval form of church singing; chant

2. Also called: canto. the highest part in a piece of choral music

3. (in 15th- or 16th-century music) a piece of choral music, usually secular, in polyphonic style

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantus¹

From Latin, dating back to 1580–90; canto

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantus¹

Latin: song, from canere to sing