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Ambitus

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Ambitus Altaris

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Dictionaries
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Ambitus Altaris
Webster Dictionary
• Ambitus
Encyclopedias
McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Ambitus
• Ambitus Altaris

(compass in music). In the earliest Church melodies, the compass did not in some instances reach, and in few did it exceed, a fifth. In Gregorian music the octave was the limit, but in later times this compass was much extended. A melody occupying or employing its whole compass was called cantus perfectus; falling short of this, cantus imperfectus; exceeding it, cantus plusquamperfectus. Subsequently other interpretations have been given to the word ambitus.