canto fermo

A form of cantus firmus — A preexisting melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.

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Meanings

noun
  1. alternativeAlternative form of cantus firmus.

Origin

Borrowed from the Italian.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

canto fermo. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canto%20fermo

MLA

“canto fermo.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canto%20fermo. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “canto fermo,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canto%20fermo.

Source: canto fermo on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.