a combining form with the meanings âheight,â âtip end,â âextremities of the body,â used in the formation of compound words: acrophobia. Also, especially before a vowel, acr-. Origin of acro-. < Greek, combining form of Ã¡kros topmost, highest; akin to Latin Äcer sharp.
â¢ CANTUS FIRMUS (noun) The noun CANTUS FIRMUS has 1 sense: 1. a melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition. Familiarity information: CANTUS FIRMUS used as a noun is very rare. Dictionary entry details.
The first species of counterpoint involves writing a new melody above or below the cantus firmus, with one note in the counterpoint for every note of the cantus firmus. Both voices, counterpoint and cantus firmus, should move mostly by step with a few leaps, and should be as natural and effortless to sing as possible.