Polyphony

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Polyphony \Po*lyph"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ?.]
     1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an
        echo.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the


        same vocal sign.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mus.) Composition in mutually related, equally important
        parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal
        composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody
        is given to one part only, the others filling out the
        harmony. See {Counterpoint}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  polyphony
       n : music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
           [syn: {polyphonic music}, {concerted music}] [ant: {monophony},
            {monophony}]