noun
quintus
noun
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA fifth vocal part in older choral music, added to the usual four.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
Quintuses plural, Quinti plural
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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."