quodlibet

[ kwod-luh-bet ]

/ ˈkwɒd ləˌbɛt /

noun

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.

Nearby words

Origin of quodlibet

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin quodlibetum; compare Latin quod libet what pleases, as you please

Related formsquod·li·bet·ic, quod·li·bet·i·cal, adjectivequod·li·bet·i·cl·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quodlibet

Nim is the fattest man in Quodlibet, and besides, is the most dressy and good-natured man we have.
Quodlibet|John P. Kennedy
It was at this juncture that I suggested to the committee the propriety of making this compilation of the Annals of Quodlibet.
Quodlibet|John P. Kennedy
Every one in Quodlibet supposed that this stroke of the procession settled the matter.
Quodlibet|John P. Kennedy
It is with a sad and melancholy sincerity I record the fact, that this election left behind it much heart-burning in Quodlibet.
Quodlibet|John P. Kennedy

Sebastian Bach—The clan feeling—A sixteenth century quodlibet.
Bach|Charles Francis Abdy Williams

British Dictionary definitions for quodlibet

quodlibet

/ (ˈkwɒdlɪˌbɛt) /

noun

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

Derived Formsquodlibetical, adjectivequodlibetically, adverb

Word Origin for quodlibet

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quodlibet

quodlibet

"a nicety, subtlety," late 14c., Latin, literally "what you will, what you please," from quod "what," neuter of qui (see who) + libet "it pleases" (see love (n.)).