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mediant

American  
[mee-dee-uhnt] / ˈmi di ənt /

noun

  1. the third degree of a major or minor musical scale.


mediant British  
/ ˈmiːdɪənt /

noun

  1. music

    1. the third degree of a major or minor scale

    2. ( as modifier )

      a mediant chord

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mediant

1720–30; < Italian mediante < Late Latin mediant- (stem of mediāns ), present participle of mediāre to be in the middle. See medium, -ant

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.

Putting, pound, potassium, pot, porter; initial p, mediant t—that was his idea, poor little boy!

From Project Gutenberg

The exposition ends with some dreamy, pianissimo reminiscences of the closing theme in the mediant keys of F, D and B major, delicately scored for the wood-wind instruments and horns.

From Project Gutenberg

“Ah, you are mediant, incorrigible,” said the lady, in broken English, laughing as she spoke.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hindoos have also terms in their language for the tonic, mediant and dominant, so that they know something of harmony, of which the Malays seem quite ignorant.

From Project Gutenberg

But a mediant view is found in Kulhwych, where it is said of him that he restrains the demons of hell lest they should destroy the people of this world.

From Project Gutenberg