Polyphonic

[pɒlɪ'fɒnɪk] or [pɑlɪ'fɑnɪk]

Definition

(adj.) having two or more independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together .

(adj.) of or relating to or characterized by polyphony; 'polyphonic traditions of the baroque' .

(adj.) having two or more phonetic values; 'polyphonic letters such as `a'' .

Editor: Olivia--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) Having a multiplicity of sounds.

(a.) Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic characters.

(a.) Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; -- opposed to homophonic, or monodic.

Checked by Groves

Definition

adj. capable of being read in more than one way: noting a musical composition of two or more parts each with an independent melody of its own.—ns. Pol′yphōnism Polyph′ony; Pol′yphōnist a ventriloquist: a contrapuntist.

Typed by Lloyd