noun
the absence of a key; alternative to the diatonic system
• Syn: ↑atonality
• Derivationally related forms: ↑atonalistic, ↑atonal (for: ↑atonality)
• Hypernyms: ↑musical notation
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\(ˈ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷əlˌizəm\ noun (-s)1. : the avoidance of traditional tonality as a principle of musical composition
2. : musical composition in atonal style
3. : the theory of atonal composition
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—atonalist, n.
/ay tohn"l iz'euhm/, n. Music.
1. atonality.
2. a note, phrase, etc., that seems harsh or discordant.
[1925-30; ATONAL + -ISM]
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atōˈnalism noun
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Main Entry: ↑atony
Useful english dictionary. 2012.