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hocket

American  
[hok-it] / ˈhɒk ɪt /

noun

  1. a technique in medieval musical composition in which two or three voice parts are given notes or short phrases in rapid alternation, producing an erratic, hiccuping effect.

Etymology

Origin of hocket

1250–1300; Middle English hoket hitch < Middle French hocquet hiccup, sudden interruption, equivalent to hoc- (imitative) + -et diminutive suffix; see hiccup

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Here were singer/guitarist Amber Coffman, singer/keyboardist Angel Deradoorian and singer Haley Dekle singing in the rapid-fire polyphonic style known as hocket, developed in the 14th century for church choirs.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2010

These featured the most intricate hocket vocals of the night.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.