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Webster 1913 Edition


Antiphony

An-tiph′o-ny

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Antiphonies
.
[See
Antiphon
.]
1.
A musical response; also, antiphonal chanting or signing.
2.
An anthem or psalm sung alternately by a choir or congregation divided into two parts. Also figuratively.
O! never more for me shall winds intone,
With all your tops, a vast
antiphony
.
R. Browning.

Webster 1828 Edition


Antiphony

ANTIPH'ONY

,
Noun.
[contrary, and voice.]
1.
The answer of one choir to another, when an anthem or psalm is sung by two choirs; alternate singing.
2.
A species of psalmody, when a congregation is divided into two parts, and each sings the verses alternately.
3.
The words given out at the beginning of a psalm, to which both the choirs are to accommodate their singing.
4.
A musical composition of several verses, extracted from different psalms.