Word Study
polyphonic
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective polyphonic has 3 senses
- polyphonic(a = adj.pert) Array - having two or more phonetic values; "polyphonic letters such as `a'" Derived form noun polyphone1
- polyphonic(a = adj.pert) polyphonous - of or relating to or characterized by polyphony; "polyphonic traditions of the baroque"
- polyphonic(a = adj.all) contrapuntal - having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together; Array Antonym: monophonic
CIDE DICTIONARY
polyphonic, a. [Gr. ; poly`s many + sound: cf. F. polyphone.].
- Having a multiplicity of sounds. [1913 Webster]
- Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic characters. [1913 Webster]
- Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; -- opposed to
homophonic , ormonodic . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
polyphonic, adj.
1 Mus. (of vocal music etc.) in two or more relatively independent parts; contrapuntal.
2 Phonet. (of a letter etc.) representing more than one sound.
1 Mus. (of vocal music etc.) in two or more relatively independent parts; contrapuntal.
2 Phonet. (of a letter etc.) representing more than one sound.
Derivative
polyphonically adv.
Etymology
Gk poluphonos (as POLY-(1), phone voice, sound)
For further exploring for "polyphonic" in Webster Dictionary Online
