Definition

1. Noun:
   • A musical interval spanning eight diatonic degrees: In music theory, an octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another with double or half its frequency. Notes an octave apart share the same letter name and sound harmonically similar.
   • A group or series of eight: This can refer to a set of eight lines in a stanza of poetry, eight days in a religious observance, or any other group of eight items.
   • The eighth day after a church festival, counting the festival day as the first: In some Christian traditions, this period includes the feast day and the following seven days.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Musical Interval):
  • The singer hit a perfect high C, an octave above the middle C played by the pianist.
  • These two notes are an octave apart, so they blend together perfectly.
• Noun (Group of Eight):
  • The poem is structured in octaves, each containing eight lines.
  • The octave of Christmas is a time of continued celebration.

Advanced Usage

• "Double octave": A musical interval spanning two octaves.
  • The pianist's run covered a double octave with impressive speed.
• "Octave leap" or "octave jump": In music, a melodic movement from one note to the note an octave above or below.
  • The melody features a dramatic octave leap in the chorus.

Variants and Related Words

• Octaval (adj): Pertaining to an octave.
  • The octaval relationship between the notes is fundamental to the harmony.
• Octave key (n): A key on some woodwind instruments (like the saxophone or oboe) that raises the pitch by an octave.
  • Press the octave key to shift into the higher register.

Synonyms

• Eightve (rare, poetic synonym for a group of eight).
• Interval of an eighth (a more technical description of the musical term).

Related Phrases

• Within the octave: Occurring during the eight-day period following a feast day.
  • The special mass is celebrated within the octave of Easter.
• Octave band (in acoustics/electronics): A frequency band where the highest frequency is twice the lowest frequency.
  • The analyzer measures sound pressure levels in each octave band.

Noun

1. a rhythmic group of eight lines of verse
2. a musical interval of eight tones
3. a feast day and the seven days following it