Middle English Dictionary Entry
dīapā̆sǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dīapā̆sǒun n. |
| Etymology | L & OF; ult. Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Mus. (a) The consonant interval of the octave, corresponding to the mathematic proportion of 2 to 1 in number of vibrations; double (twies) ~, the interval of two octaves, corresponding to the proportion of 4 to 1; (b) a tone which sounds the interval of an octave above another tone.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.209 : Whanne þese acordes were i-founde Pictagoras ȝaf hem names..and þat hatte in noumbres foure siþes al hatte in sownes double dyapasoun [L duplex Diapason].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)335a/a : Twelue to sixe makeþ double proporcioun & singeþ þe acorde dyapason.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)269/33,38 : Dyapason, þat is proporcio dupla, is þe most perfite acorde aftir þe vnisoun..a pipe of 6 foote longe..is a tenor in dyapason to a pipe of 3 fote.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.210-11 : These cordes yfounde, Pictagoras ȝave names to theyme, callenge hit in sowndes diapason, whiche is callede in nowmbres dupla proporcio..And that acorde whiche is in nowmbre a proporcion callede quadrupla, is in musike..twies diapason..when the wire extendede on a holowe body is distreynede diametrally by an instrumente restreynenge the wyre to a certeyne acorde callede magada, whiche is in to ij egalle thynges, then diapason resultethe on either parte of the wire.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)2071 : Proporcion she had in remembraunce, Diapason wyth Diapente eke.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)5.2.89b : The faire diapente, the sweet diapason, and..the lusti diatesseron.
- a1550 *Norton OAlch.(BodeMus 63)1667 : Ioyne your elements musically..for like of diapason, withe diapenter and with dia[t]esseron.
b
- c1410 Trev.Higd.(Add 24194)3.211 : In eiþer party of the streng þe soun schal be diapason ȝif þe streng is y-streyned and touched.