diapason means the musical octave. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 86 out of 100.
diapason is pronounced /daɪəˈpeɪzən/.
Why “diapason” is a great word
DIAPASON — [Noun] The full compass or range of musical notes, especially the octave, or the foundational chorus of unison flue pipes in a pipe organ. From the Latin diapason, from the Ancient Greek διαπασῶν (diapasôn), short for (hē) dia pasōn (khordōn), meaning "(the concord) through all (the notes)", from διά (diá, "through") + πασῶν (pasôn, "all"). Unlike "gamut," which broadly implies a complete series of any kind, or "register," which specifies a particular segment of tonal quality, "diapason" denotes the totality of a harmonious musical spectrum or its fundamental tonal bedrock. It is the pure, unwavering note struck on a tuning fork, the deep foundational hum from the organ’s great wooden pipes that supports all soaring melody, and the perfect interval from which all scales unfurl—the acoustic truth against which all other sound is measured.
noun
- The musical octave.“2 to 1, which is a duple ratio, forms the [symphony] diapason”
- The range or scope of something, especially of notes in a scale, or of a particular musical instrument.“The glories and the beauties of form, color, and sound unite in the Grand Canyon—forms unrivaled even by the mountains, colors that vie with sunsets, and sounds that span the diapason from tempest to tinkling raindrop, from cataract to bubbling fountain.”
- A tonal grouping of the flue pipes of a pipe organ.
- One of the lowest strings on an archlute, theorbo, chitarrone, or similar bass lute-family instrument, usually unfrettable.
- A harmonious outpouring of sound.“That we on Earth with undiscording voice
May rightly answer that melodious noise;
As once we did, till disproportion'd sin
Jarr'd against natures chime, and with harsh din
Broke the fair musick that all creatures made
To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd
In perfect Diapason, whilst they stood
In first obedience, and their state of good.”