Lydian mode

noun

1

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

2

[translation of Medieval Latin modus Lydius] : an authentic church mode represented on the white keys of the piano by a diatonic scale from F to F with C as its tenor (see tenor entry 1 sense 2a)and F as its final (see final entry 2 sense c) see church mode illustration

Word History

Etymology

translation of Greek harmonia lydia

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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