Bisdiapason

/ˌbɪsdaɪˈæpəsɒn/ noun

Definition

In music, an interval spanning two full octaves (twice the diapason, which is one octave).

Etymology

From the Latin prefix 'bis-' (twice) combined with 'diapason,' which comes from Greek 'dia' (through) and 'pason' (all). Together it means 'through all' or the full musical range.

Kelly Says

Medieval musicians called the octave 'diapason' because it contained all the notes needed to recreate a full melody—doubling it to 'bisdiapason' gave them an even wider range for complex compositions.

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