Lexic.us

Definition of Countertenor

1. Adjective. Of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor.

2. Noun. A male singer with a voice above that of a tenor.

3. Noun. The highest adult male singing voice.

Definition of Countertenor

1. Noun. ''(Older)'' a part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part ¹

2. Noun. adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Countertenor

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Countertenor

countersuing countersuit countersuits countersung countersunk countersunk hole countersurge countersurges countersurveillance countersway

countersways countertactic countertactics countertendencies countertendency countertenor (current term) countertenors counterterm counterterms counterterror

counterterrorism counterterrorist counterterrorists counterterrors countertheme counterthemes countertheories countertheory countertheses counterthesis

Literary usage of Countertenor

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Early English Text Society by Early English Text Society (1868)
"... Maister of the Chilldren, a Coont[er]-Tenor Л countertenor A Tenor A countertenor A Basse ... THE Master o'th Chilldren a countertenor A countertenor A ..."

2. The Regulations and Establishment of the Houshold [sic] of Henry Algernon by Henry Algernon Percy Northumberland, Thomas Percy (1770)
"... o'th Children a countertenor a countertenor A ... o'th Chilldren UPPON Fryday the Hoolle a countertenor Chappell and every day in A countertenor the ..."

3. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"countertenor, the highest adult male voice. (F.,-Ital., — L.) It occurs ... the countertenor part in musick.' — Ital. concatenare, a countertenor ; Florio. ..."

4. A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1901)
"countertenor. (.F. - Ital. - L.'•. ... countertenor, the highest adult male voice. — \\.л\.(оп!га, against, over against ; tenore, a tenor ; see Tenor. ..."

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