urtext

[ ur-tekst, oor- ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the original form of a text, especially of a musical composition.

Urtext

/ ˈuːrtɛkst /

noun

1. the earliest form of a text as established by linguistic scholars as a basis for variants in later texts still in existence
2. an edition of a musical score showing the composer's intentions without later editorial interpolation

Word History and Origins

Origin of urtext¹

First recorded in 1950–55; ur- ³ + text

Word History and Origins

Origin of urtext¹

from ur- original + text