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

Oh, never more for me shall winds intone With all your tops a vast antiphony, Demanding and responding in God's praise!

From Project Gutenberg

He consumed the cleansings and turned to read the antiphony with resonant voice.

From Project Gutenberg

Trinidad recited his appeal and the Judge boomed out his ponderous antiphony.

From Project Gutenberg

The revival of 1851–2 was a local one, but was believed by many to have been inspired by a celestial antiphony.

From Project Gutenberg

Antiphony was the ancient mode of rendering music, in which two sets of voices sang alternately.

From Project Gutenberg