cantus firmus

can·tus fir·mus
US/ˈkæntəs ˈfɝməs/UK/ˈkæntəs ˈfɜːməs/

noun

A preexisting melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.

OriginLatin cantus firmus →
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Meanings

nouncantus firmus (plural cantus firmi or canti firmi)

plural cantus firmi · plural canti firmi

  1. entertainmentA preexisting melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition.

Origin

  1. Latincantus firmus
  2. Englishcantus firmus

Unadapted borrowing from Latin cantus firmus (literally “fixed chant”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: cantus firmus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.