Standard Lemma guide

contrafact

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A new musical composition built out of an already existing one, most often a new melody overlaid on a familiar harmonic structure. An important part of the development of bebop. Contrafacts are not to be confused with musical quotations, which borrow rhythms or melodies from an existing composition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

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Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Kontrafaktur — musical composition