Site MapHelpFeedbackKey Terms
Key Terms
(See related pages)


ambulatory  a covered walkway, outdoors or indoors
archivolt  a molded or decorated band around an arch or forming an archlike frame for an opening
bay  a regularly repeated spatial unit of a building; in medieval architecture, a vaulted compartment
canto  (Latin, "song") one of the main divisions of a long poem
counterpoint  a musical technique that involves two or more independent melodies; the term is often used interchangeably with "polyphony"
crocket  a stylized leaf used as a terminal ornament
finial  an ornament, usually pointed and foliated, that tops a spire or pinnacle
gargoyle  a watersprout usually carved in the form of a grotesque figure
gesso  a chalky white plaster used to prepare the surface of a panel for painting
guild  an association of merchants or craftspeople organized according to occupation
heresy  the denial of the revealed truths or orthodox doctrine by a baptized member of the Church; an opinion or doctrine contrary to Church dogma
interdict  the excommunication of an entire city, district, or state
lancet  a narrow window topped with a pointed arch
lintel  a horizontal beam or stone that spans an opening
memento mori  (Latin, "remember death") a warning of the closeness of death and the need to prepare for one's own death
miracle play  a type of medieval play that dramatized the lives of, and especially the miracles performed by Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints
morality play  a type of medieval play that dramatized moral themes, such as the conflict between good and evil
motet  a short, polyphonic religious composition based on a sacred text
mullion  the slender vertical pier dividing the parts of a window, door, or screen
mystery play  a type of medieval play originating in Church liturgy and dramatizing biblical history from the fall of Satan to the Last Judgment
organ  a keyboard instrument in which keyboards and pedals are used to force air into a series of pipes, causing them to sound
organum  the general name for the oldest form of polyphony: In parallel organum, the two voices move exactly parallel to one another; in free organum the second voice moves in contrary motion; melismatic organum involves the use of multiple notes for the individual syllables of the text
pageant  a roofed wagon-stage on which medieval plays and spectacles were performed
polyphony  (Greek, "many voices") a musical texture consisting of two or more lines of melody that are of equal importance
psaltery  a stringed instrument consisting of a flat soundboard and strings that are plucked
quadripartite  consisting of or divided into four parts
reliquary  a container for a sacred relic or relics
requiem  a Mass for the Dead; a solemn chant to honor the dead
sacrament  a sacred act or pledge; in medieval Christianity, a visible sign (instituted by Jesus Christ) of God's grace
sexpartite  consisting of or divided into six parts
tempera  a powdered pigment that produces dry, flat colors
timbre  tone color; the distinctive tone or quality of sound made by a voice or musical instrument
triforium  in medieval church, the shallow arcaded passageway above the nave and below the clerestory
tympanum  the semicircular space enclosed by the lintel over a doorway and the arch above it







Fiero Second EditionOnline Learning Center

Home > Chapter 6 > Key Terms