POLYPHONIC

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does polyphonic mean? 

• POLYPHONIC (adjective)
  The adjective POLYPHONIC has 3 senses:

1. having two or more phonetic values

2. of or relating to or characterized by polyphony

3. having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together

  Familiarity information: POLYPHONIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POLYPHONIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having two or more phonetic values

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

polyphonic letters such as 'a'

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Pertainym:

polyphone (a letter that has two or more pronunciations)

Derivation:

polyphone (a letter that has two or more pronunciations)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to or characterized by polyphony

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

polyphonic; polyphonous

Context example:

polyphonic traditions of the baroque

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Pertainym:

polyphony (music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together

Synonyms:

contrapuntal; polyphonic

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

monophonic (consisting of a single melodic line)