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quodlibet

noun
quod·​li·​bet | \ ˈkwäd-lÉ™-ËŒbet How to pronounce quodlibet (audio) \

Definition of quodlibet

1 : a philosophical or theological point proposed for disputation also : a disputation on such a point
2 : a whimsical combination of familiar melodies or texts

The Origin of Quodlibet

"Whatever." Try to get philosophical nowadays and that may be the response you hear. We don't know if someone quibbling over a minor philosophical or theological point 600 years ago might have gotten a similar reaction, but we do know that Latin quodlibet, meaning "any whatever," was the name given to such academic debates. Quodlibet is a form of quilibet, from qui, meaning "what," and libet, meaning "it pleases." We can't say with certainty how quodlibet went from disputations to musical conglomerations, but English speakers have been using quodlibet for light musical mélanges since the early 19th century.

First Known Use of quodlibet

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for quodlibet

Middle English, from Medieval Latin quodlibetum, from Latin quodlibet, neuter of quilibet any whatever, from qui who, what + libet it pleases, from libēre to please — more at who, love

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More from Merriam-Webster on quodlibet

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with quodlibet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quodlibet

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