Definition of "polyphonic music" []

• Music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "a decisive influence in the transformation of polyphonic music into the harmonic or homophonic, and a comparison between the various styles is a great aid in determining the character of genuine church music."
• "The Church, however, does not despise artistic means of a more elaborate nature, as is shown by the long jubili of the traditional chant (as contained in the Vatican edition) and still more by ecclesiastical polyphonic music (Palestrina style)."