Hypolydian mode

noun

Hy·​po·​lydian mode

"+…-

1

: an ancient Greek mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a descending diatonic scale from F to F see greek mode

2

: a plagal church mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a diatonic scale from C to C with A as its tenor (see tenor entry 1 sense 2a)and F as its final (see final entry 2 sense c) see church mode illustration

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin hypolydius hypolydian (from Greek hypolydios, from hypo- + lydios Lydian) + English -an; hypolydian mode, translation of Greek hypolydios tonos

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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