hocket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (Musicology)
Quick answer
What does “hocket” mean?
A musical technique in which a single melody is rapidly alternated between two or more voices or instruments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A musical technique in which a single melody is rapidly alternated between two or more voices or instruments.
More broadly, any process or structure characterized by rapid alternation, interruption, or fragmentation, which may be applied metaphorically to fields like poetry, linguistics, or technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or grammatical differences. Usage is equally specialized and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily denotes historical musical technique (medieval, Renaissance). In avant-garde contexts, it may imply a rhythmic or textural complexity.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to academic texts, specialized music dictionaries, and advanced music theory courses.
Grammar
How to Use “hocket” in a Sentence
[to] hocket [a melody] [between/among] [voices/instruments]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hocket” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The medieval composer hocketed the melodic line between the two upper voices.
- This passage is hocketed throughout.
American English
- The ensemble hocketed the rhythmic pattern between marimbas and xylophones.
- He prefers to hocket short motifs rather than write long phrases.
adverb
British English
- [The term is not standardly used as an adverb.]
American English
- [The term is not standardly used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- The hocket passage creates a distinctive, fragmented texture.
- They studied hocket techniques in 14th-century motets.
American English
- The piece features a hocket section for the woodwinds.
- His style is known for its hocket rhythms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in music history, theory, and ethnomusicology papers to describe specific compositional techniques, particularly from the Ars Antiqua period.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain. Describes a precise contrapuntal or rhythmic device in musical scores and analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hocket”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hocket”
- Confusing it with 'hockey' or 'socket'.
- Using it as a verb in non-musical contexts (e.g., 'The data was hocketed').
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'rocket' (/ˈrɒkɪt/); correct pronunciation rhymes with 'pocket'.
- Assuming it is a common or general English word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not related. 'Hocket' comes from Old French 'hoquet' meaning a hiccup or interruption, while 'hockey' has a different etymology. They are homographs but not related in meaning.
Yes, within musicological discourse, it can be used as a verb (e.g., 'to hocket a melody'), though this usage is less common than the noun form.
No. While the term is most often applied to European medieval music, the technique is found globally, particularly in various African, Indonesian (e.g., Balinese gamelan), and other traditional musical forms.
It creates a perception of a single, rapid, and often rhythmically complex line emerging from multiple sound sources, while simultaneously highlighting the individual, punctuated contributions of each performer or part.
A musical technique in which a single melody is rapidly alternated between two or more voices or instruments.
Hocket is usually technical (musicology) in register.
Hocket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒkɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːkɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hockey puck being passed rapidly between players (HOCK-et). In musical hocket, the notes of a melody are "passed" just as quickly between different singers or instruments.
Conceptual Metaphor
MELODY IS A SHARED OBJECT (passed back and forth).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'hocket' primarily used?