plagal

American  

[pley-guhl] / ˈpleɪ gəl /

adjective

Music.

1. (of a Gregorian mode) having the final in the middle of the compass.

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plagal British  

/ ˈpleɪɡəl /

adjective

1. (of a cadence) progressing from the subdominant to the tonic chord, as in the Amen of a hymn

2. (of a mode) commencing upon the dominant of an authentic mode, but sharing the same final as the authentic mode. Plagal modes are designated by the prefix Hypo- before the name of their authentic counterparts

   the Hypodorian mode

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Etymology

Origin of plagal

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin plagālis, equivalent to plag ( a ) plagal mode (apparently back formation from plagius plagal; see plage) + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

OR may have same meaning as plagal cadence.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

I was the more startled to hear this beautiful suggestion suddenly interrupted in an alarming way by a pompous, plagal cadence which, as I was told, was supposed to represent Domenico.

From My Life — Volume 2 by Wagner, Richard

Phrygian mode, 23; Brahms's use of, 239. pianoforte, the, account of its characteristics, 189-195. plagal cadence, 55. polka, 75, 321. polonaise, 75. polyphonic, 10. polyphonic music, complete account of, 33-49.

From Music: An Art and a Language by Spalding, Walter Raymond

Having as immediate relation to the tonic, in distinction from plagal, which has a correspondent relation to the dominant in the octave below the tonic.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

Thus the melody itself was said to be either authentic or plagal, according to whether it had one or two tonics.

From Critical and Historical Essays Lectures delivered at Columbia University by Baltzell, W. J. (Winton James)