plainsong
noun
- body of monophonic chants used in the liturgies of the Western Christian Church
Wiktionary
noun
Etymology: From plain + song, calque of Latin cantus planus.
- A form of monophonic chant in unison using the Gregorian scale, sung in various Christian churches.
- A cantus firmus or theme chosen for contrapuntal treatment; so called because often an actual fragment of plain-song.
- The simple notes of an air, without ornament or variation.
- A plain unvarnished statement, without exaggeration.