mediant

[ mee-dee-uhnt ]

noun

1. the third degree of a major or minor musical scale.

mediant

/ ˈmiːdɪənt /

noun

1. music
   1. the third degree of a major or minor scale
   2. ( as modifier )

      a mediant chord

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediant¹

1720–30; < Italian mediante < Late Latin mediant- (stem of mediāns ), present participle of mediāre to be in the middle. See medium, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediant¹

C18: from Italian mediante, from Late Latin mediāre to be in the middle

Example Sentences

Putting, pound, potassium, pot, porter; initial p, mediant t—that was his idea, poor little boy!

From Project Gutenberg

The exposition ends with some dreamy, pianissimo reminiscences of the closing theme in the mediant keys of F, D and B major, delicately scored for the wood-wind instruments and horns.

From Project Gutenberg

“Ah, you are mediant, incorrigible,” said the lady, in broken English, laughing as she spoke.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hindoos have also terms in their language for the tonic, mediant and dominant, so that they know something of harmony, of which the Malays seem quite ignorant.

From Project Gutenberg

But a mediant view is found in Kulhwych, where it is said of him that he restrains the demons of hell lest they should destroy the people of this world.

From Project Gutenberg