quodlibet
[kwod-luh-bet]
- a subtle or elaborate argument or point of debate, usually on a theological or scholastic subject.
- Music. a humorous composition consisting of two or more independent and harmonically complementary melodies, usually quotations of well-known tunes, played or sung together, usually to different texts, in a polyphonic arrangement.
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Origin of quodlibet
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin quodlibetum; compare Latin quod libet what pleases, as you please
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for quodlibet
Historical Examples
The climax was reached in the quodlibet, when all joined in a sort of comic chorus.
Sebastian BachReginald Lane Poole
Sebastian Bach—The clan feeling—A sixteenth century quodlibet.
BachCharles Francis Abdy Williams
The old family seat of the Flams is about two miles from Quodlibet.
QuodlibetJohn P. Kennedy
A change had also taken place in the business affairs of Quodlibet.
QuodlibetJohn P. Kennedy
Every one in Quodlibet supposed that this stroke of the procession settled the matter.
QuodlibetJohn P. Kennedy
quodlibet
- a light piece of music based on two or more popular tunes
- a subtle argument, esp one prepared as an exercise on a theological topic
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin, from quod what + libet pleases, that is, whatever you like
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for quodlibet
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper