gamut Hear it!

gamut definition

gamut (gamət)

noun

  1. Music
    1. the lowest note of the medieval scale, corresponding to modern G below middle C
    2. the complete medieval scale
    3. the entire series of recognized notes in modern music
    4. any complete musical scale, esp. the major scale
  2. the entire range or extent, as of emotions

Etymology: ML gamma ut < gamma, the gamut, name used by Guido d'Arezzo for the lowest note of his scale (< Gr gamma, gamma) + ut < L ut, that, used as a musical note, taken from a medieval song whose phrases began on successive ascending major tones: Ut queant laxis Resonare fibris, Mira gestorum Famuli tuorum, Solve polluti Labii reatum, Sancte Iohannes

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook