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3,957 results for: theory
Dictionary Entries (13 more entries. View all »)
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) | Cite This Source |
the·o·ry 
Audio Help [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] Pronunciation Key
Audio Help [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] Pronunciation Key –noun, plural -ries.
| 1. | a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity. |
| 2. | a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact. |
| 3. | Mathematics. a body of principles, theorems, or the like, belonging to one subject: number theory. |
| 4. | the branch of a science or art that deals with its principles or methods, as distinguished from its practice: music theory. |
| 5. | a particular conception or view of something to be done or of the method of doing it; a system of rules or principles. |
| 6. | contemplation or speculation. |
| 7. | guess or conjecture. |
[Origin: 1590–1600; < LL theōria < Gk theōría a viewing, contemplating, equiv. to theōr(eǐn) to view + -ia -y3]
] —Synonyms 1. Theory, hypothesis are used in non-technical contexts to mean an untested idea or opinion. A theory in technical use is a more or less verified or established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena: the theory of relativity. A hypothesis is a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, which serves as a basis of argument or experimentation to reach the truth: This idea is only a hypothesis.
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
Thesaurus Entries (1 more entry. View all »)
| Roget's II: The New Thesaurus | Cite This Source | |
| Main Entry: | theory | |
| Part of Speech: | noun | |
| Definition: | Abstract reasoning. | |
| Synonyms: | conjecture, speculation | |
| Source: | Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. | |
| Roget's II: The New Thesaurus | Cite This Source | |
| Main Entry: | theory | |
| Part of Speech: | noun | |
| Definition: | A belief used as the basis for action. | |
| Synonyms: | hypothesis | |
| Source: | Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. | |
| Synonym Collection v1.1 | Cite This Source | |
| Main Entry: | theory | |
| Part of Speech: | noun | |
| Synonyms: | analysis, assumption, belief, conjecture, doctrine, explanation, formula, guess, hunch, hypothesis, idea, ideology, nation, philosophy, principle, speculation, surmise, theorem, thesis | |
| Source: | Synonym Collection v1.1 Copyright © 2008 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. | |
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Encyclopedia Articles (3,938 more entries. View all »)
| Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia | Cite This Source |
theory, in music, discipline involving the construction of cognitive systems to be used as a tool for comprehending musical compositions. The discipline is subdivided into what can be called speculative and analytic theory. Speculative theory engages in reconciling with music certain philosophical observations of man and nature. It can be prescriptive when it imposes these extramusical contentions to establish an aesthetic norm. Music theory tended toward this aspect until the 20th cent. An example is the attempt to assert the superiority of tonal music over other systems by reference to the relationship of the triad to the natural overtone series. Analytic theory, on the other hand, undertakes detailed study of individual pieces. Analyses of compositions of a particular genre are synthesized into a general system, or reference, against which the individuality of these pieces can be perceived. In more general usage the term theory is used to include the study of acoustics, harmony, and ear training. In ancient Greece music theory was mainly concerned with describing different scales (modes) and their emotional character. This theory was transmitted, largely erroneously, to medieval Europe by the Roman philosopher Boethius in his De musica (6th cent. A.D.). Medieval European theory dealt with notation, modal and rhythmic systems, and the relation of music to Christianity. Gioseffo Zarlino (1515-90) was the first to consider the triad as a compositional reference. In the 18th cent. Jean Philippe Rameau sought to show how the major-minor system of tonal harmony derives from the inherent acoustical properties of sound itself, and establish the laws of harmonic progression. The writings of Heinrich Schenker are among the most important in the sphere of tonal theory. Major contemporary theorists are Paul Hindemith, who propounded the idea of non-triadic pitch centrality, and Milton Babbitt, who has published revealing explications of twelve-tone music.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Licensed from Columbia University Press
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