tetrachord

[te-truh-kawrd]

noun Music.

a diatonic series of four tones, the first and last separated by a perfect fourth.

Origin of tetrachord

First recorded in 1595–1605, tetrachord is from the Greek word tetráchordos having four strings. See tetra-, chord¹

Related formstet·ra·chor·dal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tetrachord

Historical Examples of tetrachord

The early lyre of the Greeks had four, constituting their tetrachord.
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I
Herbert Spencer
In the enharmonic, the tetrachord consists of two tones and two "dieses."
Ten Books on Architecture
Vitruvius
These three classes differ in their arrangement of the tetrachord.
Ten Books on Architecture
Vitruvius
It naturally disappeared when the tetrachord Hypatn came into use.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music
David Binning Monro
But within the tetrachord the reign of diversity was unchecked.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music
David Binning Monro

British Dictionary definitions for tetrachord

tetrachord

noun

(in musical theory, esp of classical Greece) any of several groups of four notes in descending order, in which the first and last notes form a perfect fourth

Derived Formstetrachordal, adjective

Word Origin for tetrachord

C17: from Greek tetrakhordos four-stringed, from tetra- + khordē a string

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