To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of plagal mode
: a church mode (such as Hypophrygian or Hypomixolydian) with the same final (see final entry 2 sense c) as its parallel authentic mode but with an ambitus a fourth lower A plagal mode is found a fourth below its authentic, and the final of the authentic serves also for the plagal.— Rupert Hughes, The Musical Guide, 1903 — compare authentic mode — see church mode illustration
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on plagal mode
What made you want to look up plagal mode? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Intact Latin Quiz
- What did focus mean in Latin?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Intact Latin Quiz
What did each of these words mean to ancient Romans?
Take the quiz - The Eponym Quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Bee Cubed
Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.
Play the game
Share plagal mode
Time Traveler for plagal mode
The first known use of plagal mode was in 1721
See more words from the same year