pricksong

English

Etymology

From prick +‎ song.

Noun

pricksong (plural pricksongs)

(now chiefly historical) Music sung from notation written with dots or points, as opposed to by ear; sheet music. [from 15th c.]
- 1613, John Marston, William Barksted, The Insatiate Countess, I.1:
  Well said, wench, and the prick-song we use shall be our husbands'.
(now chiefly historical) A melody performed as a counterpoint to a plainsong. [from 15th c.]

References

“pricksong”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

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