Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

fauxbourdon

noun
Save Word
faux·​bour·​don | \ ˈfōbə(r)ˌdän \
plural -s

Definition of fauxbourdon

1 : harmonic progressions of the 15th century characterized by parallel fourths in the two upper voices and based chiefly on parallel sixth chords
2 : a sacred homophonic choral composition

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for fauxbourdon

French faux-bourdon, from Middle French, from faux false (from Latin falsus) + bourdon bass horn

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about fauxbourdon

Statistics for fauxbourdon

Cite this Entry

“Fauxbourdon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fauxbourdon. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

Comments on fauxbourdon

What made you want to look up fauxbourdon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

bootless

Listen to the pronounciation of bootless

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

  • cats on impossible timber
  • The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games