1. Plural of diaphony; a style of medieval polyphonic music in which two or more melodic lines are sung simultaneously, often in parallel intervals.
Usage: music history; also called organum
2. Instances or examples of discordant or clashing sounds; disagreement in sound or tone.
Usage: rare; literary

Examples

• Medieval composers experimented with diaphonies to create complex vocal textures.
• The diaphonies of the 12th century laid the groundwork for modern polyphonic music.
• Organum and diaphonies represent early attempts at multi-voice composition.
• The church choir studied diaphonies as part of their music history curriculum.
• Early diaphonies often featured parallel fourths and fifths between voices.