sesquialterate, a.
(sɛskwɪˈæltərət)
[Formed as prec. + -ate2.]
= sesquialter 1. Hence † sesquialterate v. (see quot. 1609).
| 1609 Dowland Ornith. Microl. 64 There be, which adde the colour to the figures which are made sesquialterate by the Caracters of the numbers: and contrarily sesquialterating the sesquialteraes. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 270 These all..bear a sesquialternate [sic] part to the former proportion. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Lime, The Marks of a well-burnt Lime..are, that its Weight is to that of the Stone in a sesquialterate Proportion. 1776 Burney Hist. Mus. (1789) I. vi. 67 Time..of odd numbers or sesquialterate proportion is more proper to excite commotion. 1817 H. T. Colebrooke Algebra, etc. 287 In what time will my principal be raised to the sesquialterate amount? 1907 Omond Eng. Metrists 14 Feet of sesquialterate ratio (3:2 or 2:3) ‘answer to the Diapente or fifth in Music’. |
b. (See quot. and sesquialtera 1 b.)
| 1801 Busby Dict. Mus., Sesqui-Alterate, The greater Perfect... A triple in the old music, in which the breve is three measures, or semibreves. |