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
quoad hoc, quod, quod erat demonstrandum, quod erat faciendum, quod vide, quodlibet, quoin, quoin post, quoit, quoits, quokka
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
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
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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.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper