Plagal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpleɪɡəl/

Origin

From Late Latin plagalis, from Latin plaga, from plagius, from Byzantine Greek πλάγιος ‘plagal’, Ancient Greek πλάγιος (plagios, "oblique").

Full definition of plagal

Adjective

1. (music) Designating a mode lying a perfect fourth below the authentic form.
2. (music) Designating a cadence in which the subdominant chord precedes the tonic.

Derived terms

• plagal cadence

Anagrams

• galpal