Mixolydian mode

noun

: an ancient Greek mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a descending diatonic scale from B to B see greek mode

: an authentic church mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a diatonic scale from G to G with D as its tenor (see tenor entry 1 sense 2a) and G as its final (see final entry 2 sense c) see church mode illustration

Word History

Etymology

mixolydian from Greek mixolydios mixolydian (from mixo- + lydios Lydian) + English -an; mixolydian mode translation of Greek mixolydios harmonia

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of Mixolydian mode was in 1712

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mixolydian mode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mixolydian%20mode. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation