dissonance etymology

Etymology:

  • From Middle English desonance, from Old French disonance, from Latin dissonantia, from dissonans, present participle of dissonare ("to sound discordantly"), from dis- (privative prefix, "apart, not") + sonare ("to sound").

Meaning and Origin:

Dissonance refers to a combination of musical notes that clash or create an unpleasant sound. The term originates from the Latin "dissonantia," meaning "lack of harmony." It describes music where intervals between notes sound dissonant or non-harmonious.

In music theory, dissonance is defined as an interval or a chord that creates an unstable or unresolved sound. It is typically used to create tension and contrast within a musical piece. The most common types of dissonance include:

  • Major and minor sevenths
  • Augmented and diminished intervals
  • Tritones (an interval spanning three whole tones)

Dissonance can be resolved through movement to a consonant interval. However, it can also be used as an expressive element in music, creating tension, drama, and a sense of instability. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to contrast with consonant intervals, creating a sense of balance and resolution.

In extended usage, dissonance can also refer to any clashing or conflicting elements, not necessarily in music. For example, dissonance can occur in philosophy, literature, and psychology.

dissonance relate terms

  • dishonest

    Etymology The word dishonest originates from the Old French word deshonneste which

  • disallow

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

  • discard

    Etymology Middle English discarde from Old French descarder meaning to discard Ul

  • spend

    Etymology The word spend comes from the Middle English word spenden which in turn co

  • splay

    Etymology English splay Middle English spleyen Old English splecgan Meaning To

  • sport

    Etymology The word sport originates from the following sources Old Provençal des

  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • Spencer

    Etymology Old English spencer Meaning A short sleeveless jacket or waistcoat O

  • assonance

    Etymology Assonance is derived from the Latin word assonantia which itself comes from

  • consonant

    Etymology The word consonant derives from the Latin word consonans which means sou

  • dissonant

    Etymology Dissonant derives from the Latin word dissonus meaning sounding harshly

  • sonant

    Etymology The word sonant is derived from the Latin word sonans meaning sounding

  • sonata

    Etymology and Meaning of Sonata The term sonata derives from the Italian word sonar

  • sone

    Etymology The word sone has the following etymological origin Middle English sone

  • sonic

    Etymology The word sonic originates from the Latin word sonus meaning sound Mean

  • sonnet

    Etymology The word sonnet derives from the Occitan word sonet or sonet meaning li

  • sonogram

    Etymology Sono Latin meaning sound gram Greek meaning writing or record

  • sonorous

    Etymology Latin sonorus Proto Indo European swen to sound to ring Meaning P

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • swan

    Etymology The word swan comes from the Middle English word swane which is derived f

  • unison

    Etymology From Middle English unison from Old French unison from Latin unisonus from

  • harmony

    Etymology Ancient Greek ἁρμονία harmonia from the verb ἁρμόζω harmo

  • dissension

    Etymology Latin dissensio n dissent disagreement From dis apart sentire to

  • noise

    Etymology Old French noyse from Latin nausea seasickness nausea Meaning Any

  • cognitive

    Etymology The word cognitive is derived from the Latin word cognoscere which means

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • discord

    Etymology Discord is derived from the Latin word discordia which means disagreement

  • cacophony

    Etymology The word cacophony is derived from the Greek word kakophōnia which is a c

  • divide

    Etymology Latin dividere Proto Indo European dey meaning to distribute divide

  • conflict

    Etymology The word conflict derives from the Latin word conflictus which means a st

  • racket

    The word racket is derived from the French word raquette which means a palm of the ha