from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Polyphonic \Pol`y*phon"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? sound:
cf. F. polyphone.]
1. Having a multiplicity of sounds.
[1913 Webster]
2. Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic
characters.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Mus.) Consisting of several tone series, or melodic
parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of
counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition;
-- opposed to {homophonic}, or {monodic}.
[1913 Webster]