plainsong

Etymology

plain + song, calque of Latin cantus planus.

noun

  1. (music) A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
  2. (music) A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
  3. (music) The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
  4. (by extension) A plain unvarnished statement, without exaggeration.

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