a rhythmic device involving the superimposition of, for example, two notes in the time of three
Also called: sesquialtera
Derived forms
hemiolic (ˌhɛmɪˈɒlɪk)
adjective
Word origin
New Latin, from Greek hēmiolia ratio of one to one and a half, from hemi- + (h)olos whole
hemiola in American English
(ˌhɛmiˈoʊlə)
noun
especially in early music, time values in the relationship of three to two, as in a unit or measure divided into three beats followed by an equivalent unit divided into two beats
: also ˌhemiˈolia (ˌhɛmiˈoʊliə)
Word origin
< ML hemiolia < Gr hēmiolia, fem. of hēmiolios, in the ratio of one and one half to one < hēmi- (see hemi-) + holos, whole