octet

or oc·tette

[ ok-tet ]

noun

1. a company of eight singers or musicians.
2. a musical composition for eight voices or instruments.
3. Prosody. octave ( def 4 ).
4. any group of eight.

octet

/ ɒkˈtɛt /

noun

1. any group of eight, esp eight singers or musicians
2. a piece of music composed for such a group
3. prosody another word for octave
4. chem a group of eight electrons forming a stable shell in an atom

Word History and Origins

Origin of octet¹

1860–65; oct- + -et, as in duet

Word History and Origins

Origin of octet¹

C19: from Latin octo eight, on the model of duet

Example Sentences

In recent months, the Israeli press has been rife with speculation about how the octet would view a strike on Iran.

From The Daily Beast

Later he wrote a new postlude, which is found among motivi for the Octet and the Trio in C minor.

From Project Gutenberg

The central sphere is also figured; the cigar follows its usual course, and its companions unite into a sextet and an octet.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Edith Williams, the member of the octet who fainted on the stage, swooned again soon after she took the witness stand.

From Project Gutenberg

For her appearance in the Aero Octet Felicity received, at the beginning, forty-five.

From Project Gutenberg

As an additional piece, an arrangement of a movement from Schubert's Octet was conceded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assemblage
• band
• cast
• choir
• chorus
• orchestra
• quartet
• quintet
• sextet
• trio
• troupe