Library / English Dictionary

POLYPHONIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together

Synonyms:

contrapuntal; polyphonic

Classified under:

Adjectives

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

monophonic (consisting of a single melodic line)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to or characterized by polyphony

Example:

polyphonic traditions of the baroque

Synonyms:

polyphonic; polyphonous

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Pertainym:

polyphony (music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having two or more phonetic values

Example:

polyphonic letters such as 'a'

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Pertainym:

polyphone (a letter that has two or more pronunciations)

Derivation:

polyphone (a letter that has two or more pronunciations)

Credits