schola cantorum

noun

scho·​la can·​to·​rum ˌskō-lə-kan-ˈtȯr-əm How to pronounce schola cantorum (audio)
plural scholae cantorum ˌskō-ˌlē-kan-ˈtȯr-əm How to pronounce schola cantorum (audio)
-ˌlā-,
-ˌlī-
1
: a singing school especially for church choristers
specifically : the choir or choir school of a monastery or of a cathedral
2
: an enclosure designed for a choir and located in the center of the nave in early church buildings

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, school of singers

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of schola cantorum was in 1728

Dictionary Entries Near schola cantorum

Cite this Entry

“Schola cantorum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schola%20cantorum. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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