sesquialtera

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   in mathematics or musical theory, the ratio 3:2, in which one quantity is one and a half times another

   The theorist describes the perfect fifth by the sesquialtera ratio of 3:2.

2. 2
   noun

   an organ stop made from two ranks of pipes sounding together

   The organist added the sesquialtera to brighten the solo line.

Borrowed from Latin sesquialtera, the feminine of sesquialter ("one and a half times"), from sesqui- ("one and a half") + alter ("the other; second"). The mathematical sense directly names the 3:2 proportion.

Topics

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