diatessaron

[ dahy-uh-tes-er-uhn ]

noun

1. a combining of the four Gospels of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) into a single narrative.
2. (in ancient Greek music) the interval of a fourth.

diatessaron

/ ˌdaɪəˈtɛsəˌrɒn /

noun

1. music (in classical Greece) the interval of a perfect fourth
2. a conflation of the four Gospels into a single continuous narrative

Other Words From

• di·a·tes·sar·i·al [dahy-, uh, -te-, sair, -ee-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatessaron¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dyatessaron “(musical) interval of a fourth,” from Old French diatessaron, from Latin diatessarōn, from Greek dià tessárōn; dia- ( def ), four

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatessaron¹

C14: from Late Latin, from Greek dia tessarōn khordōn sumphōnia concord through four notes, from dia through + tessares four

Example Sentences

Some suggest that he knew John's order and preferred it, others that he agreed with that adopted by Tatian in his Diatessaron.

From Project Gutenberg

But there is not yet the same degree of consensus as to the relations between the Old Syriac and the Diatessaron.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably the maker of this version was partly guided, especially in his choice of renderings, by his knowledge of the Diatessaron.

From Project Gutenberg

A large discount has therefore to be made from the agreements between Diatessaron and Syr.

From Project Gutenberg

The plan of Tatian's Diatessaron will account for a great deal.

From Project Gutenberg