antiphony

[ an-tif-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural an·tiph·o·nies.

1. alternate or responsive singing by a choir in two divisions.
2. a psalm, verse, etc., so sung; antiphon.
3. a responsive musical utterance.

antiphony

/ ænˈtɪfənɪ /

noun

1. the antiphonal singing of a musical composition by two choirs
2. any musical or other sound effect that answers or echoes another

Other Words From

• an·ti·phon·ic [an-t, uh, -, fon, -ik], adjective
• anti·phoni·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiphony¹

First recorded in 1585–95; antiphon + -y ³

Example Sentences

The Gabrielis also experimented with placing clusters of singers and instrumentalists in different pockets of the building, a technique known as antiphony, meaning ‘voices against each other’, or poly choral, ‘many choirs’.

From Literature

Toads sing to each other, and their friends sing back in antiphony.

From Literature

The antiphony of char and fat, cool leaves and warm grease, fish sauce and green herbs is in the end a simple thing.

From New York Times

It was originally written in 1941 for two pianos and presents a dizzy dialogue of antiphony as snapping rhythms and pianistic glitter are tossed from one keyboard to the other in an exchange of witticisms.

From The Guardian

The massive space of the Albert Hall was perfect for this work, evoking not just the strophic religious responses on which Boulez based the piece but the antiphony of the Italian baroque, too.

From The Guardian