maxima
English
Etymology
From Latin maxima (“greatest”). Doublet of maxim.
Noun
maxima (plural maximae or maximas)
- (music) A music note typically equal to two longae (eight semibreves).
- Synonyms: larga, duplex longa, (US) octuple whole note
Usage notes
Due to the practices of prolation and mensuration in medieval and Renaissance music, the precise length of a maxima varies widely, from as short as eight semibreves to as long as twenty-seven. In modern usage, where imperfect prolation is assumed in all cases, a maxima is taken to be worth eight semibreves. See the Wikipedia article on mensural notation for more information.
Translations
Translations
Noun
maxima
- plural of maximum
Dutch
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Noun
maxima
- plural of maximum
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /mak.si.ma/
Audio: (file)
Adjective
maxima
- plural of maximum
Noun
maxima m
- plural of maximum
Latin
Adjective
maxima
- inflection of maximus:
- nominative/vocative feminine singular
- nominative/accusative/vocative neuter plural
Adjective
maximā
- ablative feminine singular of maximus
References
- "maxima", in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)