polyphony

[ puh-lif-uh-nee ]
/ pəˈlɪf ə ni /

noun

Music. polyphonic composition; counterpoint.
Phonetics. representation of different sounds by the same letter or symbol.

Origin of polyphony

First recorded in 1820–30, polyphony is from the Greek word polyphōnía variety of tones. See poly-, -phony

OTHER WORDS FROM polyphony

po·lyph·o·nous, adjective po·lyph·o·nous·ly, adverb

Words nearby polyphony

polyphenol, polyphobia, polyphone, polyphonic, polyphonic prose, polyphony, polyphosphoric acid, polyphrasia, polyphyletic, polyphyodont, polypill

Example sentences from the Web for polyphonous

British Dictionary definitions for polyphonous

polyphony
/ (pəˈlɪfənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

polyphonic style of composition or a piece of music utilizing it
the use of polyphones in a writing system

Derived forms of polyphony

polyphonous, adjective polyphonously, adverb

Word Origin for polyphony

C19: from Greek poluphōnia diversity of tones, from poly- + phōnē speech, sound