quodlibet

[ kwod-luh-bet ]
/ ˈkwɒd ləˌbɛt /

noun

a subtle or elaborate argument or point of debate, usually on a theological or scholastic subject.
Music. a humorous composition consisting of two or more independent and harmonically complementary melodies, usually quotations of well-known tunes, played or sung together, usually to different texts, in a polyphonic arrangement.

Origin of quodlibet

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin quodlibetum; compare Latin quod libet what pleases, as you please

OTHER WORDS FROM quodlibet

quod·li·bet·ic, quod·li·bet·i·cal, adjective quod·li·bet·i·cl·ly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for quodlibetical

quodlibet
/ (ˈkwɒdlɪˌbɛt) /

noun

a light piece of music based on two or more popular tunes
a subtle argument, esp one prepared as an exercise on a theological topic

Derived forms of quodlibet

quodlibetical, adjective quodlibetically, adverb

Word Origin for quodlibet

C14: from Latin, from quod what + libet pleases, that is, whatever you like