cantus firmus

American  

[kan-tuhs fur-muhs] / ˈkæn təs ˈfɜr məs /

noun

1. the ancient traditional unisonal plainchant of the Christian Church, having its form set and its use prescribed by ecclesiastical tradition.

2. Music. a fixed melody to which other voices are added, typically in polyphonic treatment.

---

Etymology

Origin of cantus firmus

1840–50; < Medieval Latin: literally, firm song

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cantus firmus

Each section is built on a simple cantus firmus — a brief, unharmonized chant — around which a rich, involving six-part harmonic fabric is woven.

From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2011

To cantus firmus a write one counterpoint above and one below, in the third species.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann

To cantus firmus b write counterpoints in six notes, one above and one below.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann

To cantus firmus c write third species mixed in the other three parts, as at Fig. 139b.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann

To cantus firmus a write the second species in two parts and the first in the others.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---