MENSURAL Meaning and
Definition
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Mensural typically refers to something related to the measurement or duration of musical notes and rhythms in medieval and Renaissance music. It is derived from the Latin word "mensura," meaning "measure" or "measurement."
In the context of music, mensural primarily relates to a system of notation used during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. This notational system provided a way to notate rhythm and meter, specifying durations and proportions of notes. Mensural notation was characterized by specific symbols and shapes placed above and below the staff lines, which indicated the relative length of notes and their divisions. These symbols could represent both simple and complex rhythmic patterns, incorporating various note values such as longs, breves, semibreves, and minims.
Furthermore, mensural can also refer to the classification of specific musical compositions written in this notational system and adhering to specific rhythmic patterns. For instance, mensural can be used to describe certain genres of vocal polyphony, such as motets, chansons, and masses composed during the medieval and Renaissance eras.
Overall, mensural is a term that encompasses the notational system, rhythmic patterns, and compositions of a specific historical period in music, emphasizing precise measurement and durations of musical notes and rhythms.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MENSURAL
- nensural
- kensural
- jensural
- mwnsural
- msnsural
- mdnsural
- mrnsural
- m4nsural
- m3nsural
- mebsural
- memsural
- mejsural
- mehsural
- menaural
- menzural
- menxural
- mendural
- meneural
- menwural
Etymology of MENSURAL
The word "mensural" has its roots in Latin. It derives from the Latin word "mensura", which means "measure" or "measurement". The term was predominantly used in music theory during the Medieval and Renaissance periods to describe a type of notation used to represent the duration of musical notes. It referred to a system that measured and indicated the rhythmic and time values of notes in written music. Over time, "mensural" expanded its meaning to include any concept or element related to music notation and rhythm, particularly within the context of Renaissance and early Baroque music.
Similar spelling words for MENSURAL
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