plainchant
/pleɪnˌtʃænt/
noun
- A style of medieval church music sung by a single voice or choir in unison, without musical instruments, following a simple, free rhythm.
- The monks sang plainchant during the evening service, filling the abbey with calm, echoing voices.
- In music class, we learned that plainchant was the earliest form of notated Western music.
- The choir's performance of plainchant was so peaceful that the audience sat in complete silence.