Latin for "the New Art." Describes the more complex new music of the 14th
century, marked by richer harmonies and elaborate rhythmic devices.
a capella
Music sung without instrumental accompaniment.
abacus
(1) The slab that forms the upper part of a capital. (2) A computing
device using movable counters.
academy
Derived from Akademeia, the name of the garden where Plato taught his
students; the term came to be applied to official (generally conservative)
teaching establishments.
accompaniment
The musical background to a melody.
acoustics
The science of the nature and character of sound. "acropolis", Literally,
the high point of a Greek city, frequently serving as refuge in time of war.
The best known is the Acropolis of Athens.
acrylic
A clear plastic used to make paints and as a casting material in
sculpture.
adagio
Italian for "slow"; used as an instruction to musical performers.
aesthetic
Describes the pleasure derived from a work of art, as opposed to any
practical or informative value it might have. In philosophy, aesthetics is the
study of the nature of art and its relation to human experience.
agora
In ancient Greek cities, the open marketplace, often used for public
meetings.
aisle
In church architecture, the long open spaces parallel to the nave.
aleatory music
Music made in a random way after the composer sets out the elements of the
musical piece.
allegory
A dramatic or artistic device in which the superficial sense is
accompanied by a deeper or more profound meaning.
allegro
Italian for "merry" or "lively"; a musical direction.
altar
In ancient religion, a table at which offerings were made or victims
sacrificed. In Christian churches, a raised structure at which the sacrament
of the Eucharist is consecrated, forming the center of the ritual.
altarpiece
A painted or sculptured panel placed above and behind an altar to inspire
religious devotion.
alto
The lowest range of the female voice, also called contralto.
ambulatory
Covered walkway around the apse of a church.
amphora
Greek wine jar.
anthropomorphism
The endowing of nonhuman objects or forces with human characteristics.
antiphony
Music in which two or more voices alternate with one another.
apse
Eastern end of a church, generally semicircular, in which the altar is
housed
architecture
The art and science of designing and constructing buildings for human use.
architrave
The lowest division of an entablature.
archivault
The molding that frames an arch.
aria
Song for a solo voice in an opera, an oratorio, or a cantata.
assemblage
The making of a sculpture or other three-dimensional art piece from a
variety of materials. Compare collage, montage.
atelier
A workshop.
atonality
The absence of a key or tonal center in a musical composition.
atrium
An open court in a Roman house or in front of a church.
augmentation
In music, the process of slowing down a melody or musical phrase by
increasing (generally doubling) the length of its notes.
aulos
Greek wind instrument, similar to an oboe but consisting of two pipes.
autocracy
Political rule by one person of unlimited power.
avant-garde
French for advance- guard. Term used to describe artists using innovative
or experimental techniques.
axis
An imaginary line around which the elements of a painting, sculpture or
building are organized; the direction and focus of these elements establishes
the axis.
