English

Noun

plagal cadence ‎(plural plagal cadences)

1. (music) A falling cadence in which a subdominant chord precedes the tonic; especially used in an ending Amen.
   • 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 230:

     A fellow could rely on Market Street only so far, and then even that began to get discouraging, plagal cadences on parlor pianos, bright lights, and mirrors to the contrary notwithstanding.

See also

• deceptive cadence