Definition of Countertenor

1. Noun. A male singer with a voice above that of a tenor.

Generic synonyms: Alto

2. Adjective. Of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor.
Exact synonyms: Alto
Similar to: High, High-pitched
Derivative terms: Alto

3. Noun. The highest adult male singing voice.
Exact synonyms: Alto
Generic synonyms: Singing Voice
Derivative terms: Alto

Definition of Countertenor

1. Noun. ''(Older)'' a part or section performing a countermelody against the tenor or main part ¹

2. Noun. adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Countertenor

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Countertenor

countersuing
countersuit
countersuits
countersung
countersunk
countersunk hole
countersurge
countersurges
countersurveillance
countersway
countersways
countertactic
countertactics
countertendencies
countertendency
countertenor (current term)
countertenors
counterterm
counterterms
counterterror
counterterrorism
counterterrorist
counterterrorists
counterterrors
countertheme
counterthemes
countertheories
countertheory
countertheses
counterthesis

Literary usage of Countertenor

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Early English Text Society by Early English Text Society (1868)
"... Maister of the Chilldren, a Coont[er]-Tenor Л countertenor A Tenor A countertenor A Basse ... THE Master o'th Chilldren a countertenor A countertenor A ..."

2. The Regulations and Establishment of the Houshold [sic] of Henry Algernon by Henry Algernon Percy Northumberland, Thomas Percy (1770)
"... o'th Children a countertenor a countertenor A ... o'th Chilldren UPPON Fryday the Hoolle a countertenor Chappell and every day in A countertenor the ..."

3. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"countertenor, the highest adult male voice. (F.,-Ital., — L.) It occurs ... the countertenor part in musick.' — Ital. concatenare, a countertenor ; Florio. ..."

4. A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1901)
"countertenor. (.F. - Ital. - L.'•. ... countertenor, the highest adult male voice. — \\.л\.(оп!га, against, over against ; tenore, a tenor ; see Tenor. ..."

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