polyphony

[ puh-lif-uh-nee ]

noun

1. Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint.
2. Phonetics. representation of different sounds by the same letter or symbol.

polyphony

/ pəˈlɪfənɪ /

noun

1. polyphonic style of composition or a piece of music utilizing it
2. the use of polyphones in a writing system

Derived Forms

• poˈlyphonous, adjective
• poˈlyphonously, adverb

Other Words From

• po·lypho·nous adjective
• po·lypho·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyphony¹

First recorded in 1820–30, polyphony is from the Greek word polyphōnía variety of tones. See poly-, -phony

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyphony¹

C19: from Greek poluphōnia diversity of tones, from poly- + phōnē speech, sound

Example Sentences

The Recital is a stripped-down full-size keyboard that offers battery functionality and 128-note polyphony.

From Popular-Science

The overall narrative gains richness, strength and a kind of polyphony by mixing Fox’s crisp exposition with quotations from Jones’s memoir and the reminiscences of other prisoners.

From Washington Post

The polyphony is bold and free, the voices exhibiting an independence perhaps unknown since the days of the madrigalists.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet again, he talks vaguely of the intricate polyphony of a cosmic orchestra, cacophonous to our dull ears.

From Project Gutenberg

The cellos weave it into the polyphony, sometimes clearly, sometimes in scarcely recognizable augmentation.

From Project Gutenberg

Polyphony is their vital element; the forms of counterpoint became more appropriate as the number of parts increased.

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to style of writing for the clavier—a few canonic imitations excepted—there is no real polyphony.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrangement
• chord
• composition
• melody
• tune
• unity