symphony

Meanings

1. An extended piece of music of sophisticated structure, usually for orchestra.
2. An instrumental introduction or termination to a vocal composition.
3. Harmony in music or colour, or a harmonious combination of elements.
4. A symphony orchestra.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem-der.? Proto-Hellenic *ksún Ancient Greek σύν (sún) Ancient Greek σῠν- (sŭn-) Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂-der. Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Hellenic *-os Ancient Greek -ος (-os) Ancient Greek -φωνος (-phōnos) Ancient Greek σῠ́μφωνος (sŭ́mphōnos) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā) ▲ Ancient Greek σῠν- (sŭn-) ▲ Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ) ▲ Ancient Greek -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā) Ancient Greek -φωνίᾱ (-phōníā) Ancient Greek σῠμφωνῐ́ᾱ (sŭmphōnĭ́ā)der. Latin symphōniader. Old French simphonieder. Middle English symphonye English symphony From Middle English symphonye, from Old French simphonie, from Latin symphonia, from Ancient Greek συμφωνία (sumphōnía). By surface analysis, sym- + -phony. Doublet of sinfonia, symphonia, tsampouna, and zampogna.