(music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
Used in a Sentence
plainsong
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for plainsong.
Editorial note
The modest rise and temperate descents of plainsong, by which the modes themselves are recognized, are entirely obscured.
Examples7
Definitions4
Parts of speech1
Quick take
(music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of plainsong gathered in one view.
(music) The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
(music) A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for plainsong.
noun
(music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
See also: plainchant, gregorian-chant
noun
(music) The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
See also: plainchant, gregorian-chant
noun
(music) A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
See also: plainchant, gregorian-chant
noun
(by extension) A plain unvarnished statement, without exaggeration.
See also: plainchant, gregorian-chant
Example sentences
The modest rise and temperate descents of plainsong, by which the modes themselves are recognized, are entirely obscured.
In early music (eg medieval plainsong) the fundamentals of more complex harmony were first developed from melody.
Effective communities are not always just cloistered monks singing a plainsong chant.
Similarly, plainsong was seen as “classical” music for many centuries, and was also a largely rigid form, but there exist some absolute bangers in the canon, mostly unattributed because monks.
The 21st century scholar, Roger Nichols, mentions adverse reaction to "the deformed Dies irae plainsong", the "horrible screeching from solo violin", the use of a xylophone, and "the hypnotic repetitions", in which Nichols hears a pre-echo of Ravel's Boléro.
Quote examples
Similarly, plainsong was seen as “classical” music for many centuries, and was also a largely rigid form, but there exist some absolute bangers in the canon, mostly unattributed because monks.
The 21st century scholar, Roger Nichols, mentions adverse reaction to "the deformed Dies irae plainsong", the "horrible screeching from solo violin", the use of a xylophone, and "the hypnotic repetitions", in which Nichols hears a pre-echo of Ravel's Boléro.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use plainsong in a sentence?
The modest rise and temperate descents of plainsong, by which the modes themselves are recognized, are entirely obscured.
What does plainsong mean?
(music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
What part of speech is plainsong?
plainsong is commonly used as noun.