plainchant

[ pleyn-chant, -chahnt ]

noun

1. plainsong ( defs 1, 2 ).

plainchant

/ ˈpleɪnˌtʃɑːnt /

noun

1. another name for plainsong

Word History and Origins

Origin of plainchant¹

1720–30; plain ¹ + chant, modeled on French plain-chant

Word History and Origins

Origin of plainchant¹

C18: from French, rendering Medieval Latin cantus plānus; see plain ¹

Example Sentences

At the gates of hell, the stones instruct Orpheus not to sing there “unless you sing in a dead language” — so Hopkins and Orlinski duly start intoning Latin, in a parody of medieval plainchant.

From New York Times

The vocal settings are plain as well, with qualities again of Glass and Satie, along with hints of Robert Ashley, Broadway, elemental pop song and plainchant.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s been a plainchant from women for the last 30 years that our roles are tedious to play.

From The Guardian

“Partita for 8 Voices” is a pattern book of vocal styles: its movements are stitched together from plainchant, percussive breathing, Early American hymnody, and half a dozen other techniques.

From The New Yorker

He took a daringly slow tempo in this opening passage, a solemn, low theme in chords that hints at modal plainchant.

From New York Times