ecbole

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐκβολή (ekbolḗ, “a digression”), from ἐκβάλλω (ekbállō, “to throw out”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛkbəliː/

Noun

ecbole (countable and uncountable, plural ecboles)

1. (rhetoric, rare) A digression, (especially) one in which a person is introduced speaking his or her own words.
2. (music) The raising or sharping of a tone, especially (historical) in relation to Ancient Greek music.
   • 1813, J.M. Good & al., Pantologia, s.v. "Ecbole":

     Ecbole: a […] change in the enharmonic genus, by the accidental elevation of a chord, or string, five dieses above its ordinary pitch.

References

• "ecbole" in George L. Scott's Supplement to Mr Chamber's Cyclopaedia, London: Innys & al., 1753.
• "ecbole" in Chauncey A. Goodrich's revision of Noah Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, London: Illustrated London Library, 1852.
• “ecbole, n..”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1891.