Plainsong: meaning, definitions and examples

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plainsong

 

[ หˆpleษชnหŒsษ”ล‹ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

musical form

Plainsong, also known as plainchant, is a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the earliest types of Western liturgical music and is characterized by its free rhythm and modal melodies. Plainsong was used as the primary form of worship music during the medieval period, particularly in the context of the Mass and the Divine Office. This style of music emphasizes the lyrical quality of the texts, typically in Latin, setting prayers and hymns to music without instrumental accompaniment.

Synonyms

Gregorian chant, chant, plainchant

Examples of usage

  • The choir sang plainsong during the evening service.
  • She studied the manuscript of an ancient plainsong.
  • Plainsong has a soothing quality that enhances meditation.
  • He composed a new plainsong for the liturgical season.

Translations

Translations of the word "plainsong" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cantochรฃo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคพเคฆเค—เฅ€เคชเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคฃ เค—เฅ€เคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Plainsong

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lagu sederhana

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะพัั‚ะธะน ัะฟั–ะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›piew plainowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅนณๆญŒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท plain-chant

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ canto llano

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sade ลŸarkฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ”Œ๋ ˆ์ธ์†ก

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุบู†ูŠุฉ ุจุณูŠุทุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ plainsong

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ plainsong

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅนณ่ฐƒๆญŒๆ›ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ plainsong

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ plainsong

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐะน ำ™ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ แƒขแƒ˜แƒ•แƒ˜ แƒ’แƒแƒšแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sadษ™ mahnฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ canto llano

Etymology

The term 'plainsong' originates from the Latin 'cantus planus', meaning 'flat song'. This name reflects the monophonic nature of the music, where a single melodic line is rendered without harmony or accompaniment. Plainsong was historically significant within the context of the Church; it played a crucial role in the development of Western music traditions. During the early Middle Ages, Plainsong was established as the official music of the liturgy. The most recognized form of plainsong is Gregorian chant, attributed to Pope Gregory I in the 6th century, although it was developed from earlier traditions of Christian chant. The widespread use of plainsong continued into the Renaissance, where it influenced many composers, paving the way for harmony and polyphony in later Western music. Today, plainsong has seen a revival in certain religious and scholarly contexts, appreciated for its historical importance and meditative qualities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,518, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.