octet

oc·tet | \ äk-ˈtet

How to pronounce octet (audio)

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Definition of octet

1 : a musical composition for eight instruments or voices

2 : a group or set of eight: such as

a : octave sense 2b

b : the performers of an octet

Examples of octet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For this year’s Christmas concerts, the male vocal octet Cantus is serving up a welcome reminder that the rewards of giving don’t have to be gleaned from passing on gadgetry and games. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, "Review: Cantus’ Christmas concerts spin sad but affecting tales," 12 Dec. 2019 The band is an octet, so the members know how to play well with others. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Creamery Station a delicious CT-based roots-jam band coming to State House," 22 Nov. 2019 The most famous and best octet in music history is Mendelssohn’s, written when the composer was 16. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Mozart & Co.," 30 Aug. 2019 The octet of watercolors over the fireplace, painted by artist Aldous Bertram, actually conceals a TV, while the dining table can be covered in a custom Quadrille tablecloth when not in use. — Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, "This Palm Beach 'Master Cottage' Is Over the Top," 18 Nov. 2019 The octet features violinists Isabella Lippi (concertmaster), Eleanor Bartsch (associate concertmaster), and Jerry Loughney; violists Amanda Grimm (principal violist) and Rebecca Swan; and Matthew Agnew (principal cellist). — Myrna Petlicki, chicagotribune.com, "Elgin Symphony Orchestra musicians bring chamber concert to Barrington," 15 Oct. 2019 Things may not be so bad for the octet, at least in the short run. — The Economist, "America blacklists China’s best artificial-intelligence firms," 10 Oct. 2019 The most famous and best octet in music history is Mendelssohn’s, written when the composer was 16. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Mozart & Co.," 30 Aug. 2019 The most famous and best octet in music history is Mendelssohn’s, written when the composer was 16. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Mozart & Co.," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'octet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

22 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Octet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octet. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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