Hypophrygian mode

noun

Hy·​po·​phrygian mode

1

: an ancient Greek mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a descending diatonic scale from G to G see greek mode

2

: a plagal church mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a diatonic scale from B to B with A as its tenor (see tenor entry 1 sense 2a)and E as its final (see final entry 2 sense c) see church mode illustration

Word History

Etymology

hypophrygian (from Late Latin hypophrygius hypophrygian—from Greek hypophrygios, from hypo- + phrygios Phrygian, from Phrygia, ancient country in west central Asia Minor—+ English -an) + mode; translation of Greek hypophrygia harmonia

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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