Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

fauxbourdon

noun faux·bour·don \ ˈfōbə(r)ˌdän \

Definition of fauxbourdon

plural -s
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

There's more!

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!
Already a subscriber? Log in.

Origin and Etymology of fauxbourdon

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

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

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