motet

[ moh-tet ]

noun

, Music.

1. a vocal composition in polyphonic style, on a Biblical or similar prose text, intended for use in a church service.

motet

/ məʊˈtɛt /

noun

1. a polyphonic choral composition used as an anthem in the Roman Catholic service

Word History and Origins

Origin of motet¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French; mot, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of motet¹

C14: from Old French, diminutive of mot word; see mot ¹

Example Sentences

Madam Bruna, an Italian singer, sung the motet, and was well accompanied.

From Project Gutenberg

De Linant gave me words proper to the subject, and in a week after I had received them the motet was finished.

From Project Gutenberg

A motet of Kuhnau's was given at Zittau under his direction.

From Project Gutenberg

One result was an interesting narrative of the visit by M. Motet of Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

More free in form was the motet, in which religious subjects were treated in contrapuntal fashion.

From Project Gutenberg