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octave

octave

noun ok-TAV Rare

Origin: Latin octava (eighth)

Usage Note

Octave refers to the eight-note musical interval fundamental to Western scales. Musicians say 'à l'octave' to indicate playing a passage an octave higher or lower. In poetry, an octave is also a stanza of eight lines.

Examples

"Il joue la mélodie à l'octave supérieure."

Natural Translation

He plays the melody an octave higher.

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