cantus firmus
[ kan-tuh s fur-muh s ]
/ ˈkæn təs ˈfɜr məs /
noun
the ancient traditional unisonal plainchant of the Christian Church, having its form set and its use prescribed by ecclesiastical tradition.
Music. a fixed melody to which other voices are added, typically in polyphonic treatment.
Nearby words
Origin of cantus firmus
1840–50; < Medieval Latin: literally, firm song
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019