diminished seventh

noun

Definition of diminished seventh

1 : a musical interval (see interval sense 2c)that is smaller than a seventh by a semitone

2 or diminished seventh chord : a seventh chord that is often built on the leading tone, that spans the interval (see interval sense 2c)of a diminished seventh (sense 1), and that consists of three minor thirds

— called also diminished chord

— see seventh chord

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Dictionary Entries near diminished seventh

diminished arch

diminished chord

diminished seventh

diminished shaft

diminished triad

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The first known use of diminished seventh was in 1753

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