florid counterpoint

noun

: any type of musical counterpoint other than first species

[Johannes] Tinctoris refers to the varieties of flowers in the field as an analogy for the use of florid counterpoint (i.e. counterpoint with dissonances and consonances).

—Alexis Luko, in Early Music History, volume 27, 2008

especially : fifth species

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

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