symphonicadj.n.
/sɪmˈfɒnɪk/, U.S. /sɪmˈfɑnɪk/ 1.
a. Welsh Prosody. Involving similarity of sound: cf. symphonize v. 1b, symphony n. 2.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > rhyme > [adjective] > symphonic (Welsh)
symphonic1856
1856 J. Williams tr. Anc. Gram. Edeyrn §1785 There are three kinds of resumption; namely, resumption of letters.., resumption symphonic.., and sense-producing..resumption.
b. Having the same sound, pronounced alike; = homophonous adj. 2.
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [adjective] > similar in sound
homophone1623
consonant1645
unison1675
homotonous1775
symphonious1786
idem sonans1822
homophonous1826
paronymous1835
antiphonetic1840
co-sonant1856
monophonous1869
symphonic1880
homophonic1942
1880 J. A. H. Murray in Trans. Philol. Soc. 33 Special facilities of comparing whole classes of symphonic words with each other and their earlier forms.
c. Applied to a shorthand sign denoting more than one sound; also as n.
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society > communication > writing > written character > [adjective] > shorthand symbol
characterical1588
symphonic1904
1904 W. E. Thomson tr. Javal Blind Man's World 154 Phonography with Symphonics. A symphonic sign is one which expresses more than one speech-sound.
2. Harmonious. rare.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [adjective] > musical or harmonious
musica1382
cordant1382
melodiousa1425
musicala1449
consonant?1521
warbling1549
harmoniousc1550
tunable1579
symphonical1589
symphoniacal1650
symphonious1652
consonous1654
harmonic1667
symphonous1814
symphonic1864
1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
1872 C. King Mountaineering in Sierra Nevada viii. 175 As we marched down the road, unconsciously keeping step, the sound of our boots had quite a symphonic effect; they were all full of water, and with soft, melodious slushing acted as a calmer upon our spirits.
3. Music. Of, pertaining to, or having the form or character of a symphony. Also transferred (in reference to poetry), and figurative. symphonic ballet, a ballet choreographed to the music of a symphony, with an emphasis on pattern rather than plot. symphonic jazz, (a) jazz influenced by the form and instrumentation of classical music; (b) classical music scored and performed in jazz style. symphonic poem (tr. German symphonische dichtung, Liszt), a descriptive orchestral composition of the character and dimensions of a symphony, but freer in form, founded on some special poetic theme or idea.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > [noun] > tone poem
poema1860
symphonic poem1864
tone poem1889
tone-picture1901
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > piece in specific form > [adjective] > symphony
symphonic1864
symphonized1946
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > [noun] > classical scored as jazz
symphonic jazz1926
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > jazz > [noun] > types of
rooty-toot1852
soul music1920
Chicago1923
gutbucket1925
symphonic jazz1926
Dixieland1927
jive1928
white jazz1931
Harlem1934
jump1937
New Orleans1938
free jazz1941
progressive jazz1944
bebop1945
gypsy swing1945
modern jazz1946
bop1948
new jazz1949
cool1952
Afro-jazz1954
funk1954
gypsy jazz1955
trad jazz1955
trad1956
whorehouse music1956
new thing1962
fusion1965
society > leisure > dancing > ballet > [noun] > types of
ballet d'action1782
ballet romance1799
Russian ballet1817
ballet-drama1886
ballet blanc1927
ballet bouffe1934
symphonic ballet1936
ballet bouffon1958
1864 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
1873 N. Amer. Rev. 116 241 Liszt, in his Symphonic Poems, has also tried to express poetical thoughts by music alone.
1881 Athenæum 26 Mar. 438/1 Smetana's symphonic poem ‘Vltava’ had been produced at the Crystal Palace concert.
1881 Cornhill Mag. Mar. 312 Alone in this elemental overture to tempest I..felt through self-abandonment to the symphonic influence how [etc.].
1883 Harper's Mag. Mar. 541/1 The full growth from small beginnings of both symphonic and dramatic forms in music.
1886 A. L. Alger tr. Reissman Life & Works R. Schumann iii. 57 Schumann took an important step forward in the path of his progress... Thus arose: ‘The Carnival’.., the ‘Symphonic Studies’ (Op. 13, 1834) [etc.].
1889 C. H. H. Parry in Grove Dict. Music IV. 33/1 Mendelssohn's only other symphonic work was the Lobgesang.
1889 C. H. H. Parry in Grove Dict. Music IV. 34/2 The manner [of Schumann's 1st Symphony] is thoroughly symphonic, impressive and broad.
1913 Times 3 Oct. 8/5 The two new works—Sir Edward Elgar's symphonic study for orchestra, Falstaff, and Mr. Hamilton Harty's setting..of..‘The Mystic Trumpeter’.
1926 P. Whiteman & M. M. McBride Jazz iii. 58 Symphonic jazz had proved so successful that the Alexandria's cover receipts had risen from $300 to $1200 a day.
1929 Metronome Jan. 32/1 Whiteman put jazz in its Sunday dress and made it respectable. He applied the jazz treatment to the classics and established symphonic jazz which could be scored on paper.
1934 S. R. Nelson All about Jazz v. 101 Grofé has added ‘Grand Canyon Suite’..to his personal contribution to the field of symphonic Jazz.
1936 Times 24 June 14/3 ‘Les Presages’. M. Massine's first symphonic ballet..was revived at Covent Garden last night.
1947 W. Mellers Stud. Contemp. Mus. xi. 176 The string quartet Variations, and even Rawsthorne's biggest and most important work, the Symphonic Studies, are more freely based on the same notion of the variation of form.
1958 G. Lascelles in P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz viii. 104 Paul Whiteman absorbed the nucleus of the Goldkette Orchestra into his own symphonic jazz group.
1964 W. G. Raffé Dict. Dance 487/1 Most choreographers who have attempted symphonic ballet have..used the music as a basis for vague generalisations by way of theme, while avoiding the technical aridity of ‘abstract ballet’.
1976 New Yorker 26 Jan. 96/3 The big symphonic ballet in the Allegretto is a space-filling geometrical composition.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1856