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polyphony

Syllabification: (po·lyph·o·ny)
Pronunciation: /pəˈlifənē/
Definition of polyphony

noun (plural polyphonies)

Music
  • the style of simultaneously combining a number of parts, each forming an individual melody and harmonizing with each other.
  • a composition written, played, or sung in polyphony.
  • (on an electronic keyboard or synthesizer) the number of notes or voices that can be played simultaneously without loss.

Derivatives

polyphonist

Pronunciation: /-fənist/
noun

polyphonous

Pronunciation: /-fənəs/
adjective

Origin:

early 19th century: from Greek poluphōnia, from polu- 'many' + phōnē 'sound'

polyphony in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of polyphony in the British & World English dictionary
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