oblique motion

American  

noun

Music.

1. the relative motion of two melodic parts in which one remains in place or moves relatively little while the other moves more actively.

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Etymology

Origin of oblique motion

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

And he assigns oblique motion to the Angels—a motion, that is, compounded of the direct and the circular—inasmuch as an Angel, according to his contemplation of God, provides for those inferior to him.

From On Prayer and The Contemplative Life by Pope, Hugh

And lastly, he explains the oblique motion differently in each case.

From On Prayer and The Contemplative Life by Pope, Hugh

By this oblique motion, the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s dominions. 

From Gulliver's Travels by Swift, Jonathan

To the human soul, on the contrary, he assigns this same oblique motion, similarly compounded of the direct and the circular motions, inasmuch as in its reasonings it makes use of the Divine illuminations.

From On Prayer and The Contemplative Life by Pope, Hugh

The entire flyer shell could be revolved about the axis so that oblique motion with our bow and stern motors was readily possible.

From Astounding Stories of Super-Science July 1930 by Bates, Harry