antiphonal

[ an-tif-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to antiphons or antiphony; responsive.

noun

1. an antiphonary.

antiphonal

/ ænˈtɪfənəl /

adjective

1. sung or recited in alternation

noun

1. another word for antiphonary

Derived Forms

• anˈtiphonally, adverb

Other Words From

• an·tipho·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphonal¹

First recorded in 1685–95; antiphon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

“This repertoire — with its contrapuntal extravaganzas, its antiphonal balances, its espousal of instruments that chuff and wheeze and speak directly to a microphone — was made for stereo,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

They spread out on street corners, creating a cascade of sound throughout the community as they take turns playing lines of antiphonal hymns, she said.

From Seattle Times

Konopka divided the ensemble into a double string orchestra and had them seated antiphonally on the stage.

From New York Times

In “Sorrowful Soil,” Björk summons overlapping, antiphonal choirs for a prismatic yet coolly scientific consideration of motherhood: “In a woman’s life she gets 400 eggs but only two or three nests.”

From New York Times

More complicated are choral passages, especially antiphonal ones, a challenge for untrained performers but a compelling study in building harmony.

From New York Times