Antiphony
/ænˈtɪf.ə.ni/noun
A responsive alternation of musical or spoken phrases, especially between two groups.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek church music, where singers literally answered each other in a call-and-response pattern—language turned into a kind of sonic spell.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
antiphōnia
“a sounding in response; alternate singing”
Late Latin
Latin
antiphonia
“responsive chanting or singing”
Old French
Old French
antiphonie
“alternate singing in church”
14th Century
English
antiphonie
“responsive chant or singing in alternation”
Modern English
English
antiphony
“a responsive alternation of sounds or voices”
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