canto (kanto)

[ E. chant ), soprano. canto fermo (kanto fermo). [It., 2. A theme or subject taken by a composer from the ancient canto fermo of the church, for contrapuntal treatment. The term is also technically applied to themes written in imitation of the ancient canto fermo, and treated contrapuntally. See plain -song. canto figurato (kanto fig-ö-rä'tō). [It.,