noun

quintus

Quintus (noun) means In early vocal music, a fifth voice part added above or alongside the standard four-part texture of superius, altus, tenor, and bassus. Example: “The composer added a quintus line to thicken the harmony in the final chorus.”

noun

In early vocal music, a fifth voice part added above or alongside the standard four-part texture of superius, altus, tenor, and bassus.

"The composer added a quintus line to thicken the harmony in the final chorus."

"Renaissance polyphony sometimes called for a quintus to give extra weight to the upper voices."

How to use quintus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fifth vocal part in older choral music, added to the usual four.

Easily confused with

quint →

Word forms

Quintuses plural, Quinti plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The composer added a _____ line to thicken the harmony in the final chorus.

Etymology

From Latin quintus, meaning "fifth" — the same root behind the modern word "quint."

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “quintus” mean?

The word “quintus” means in early vocal music, a fifth voice part added above or alongside the standard four-part texture of superius, altus, tenor, and bassus. In plain terms, a fifth vocal part in older choral music, added to the usual four.

How do you use “quintus” in a sentence?

Here is “quintus” used in a sentence: “The composer added a quintus line to thicken the harmony in the final chorus.”

What part of speech is “quintus”?

“Quintus” is a noun.

Where does the word “quintus” come from?

The word “quintus” comes from Latin. From Latin quintus, meaning "fifth" — the same root behind the modern word "quint.".

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