Fugue
/fjuːɡ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed according to a strict set of rules.
/fjuːɡ/
A musical composition style
The composer's latest work is a complex fugue that showcases the orchestra's technical prowess.
💡 Simply: Think of a musical game of tag. One musical idea starts, and then different instruments 'chase' and repeat it in different ways. It's like a musical conversation where the main idea keeps running around.
👶 For kids: A kind of music where one tune gets played over and over by different instruments, like a musical hide-and-seek!
More Examples
The fugue's intricate counterpoint created a mesmerizing effect on the audience.
How It's Used
"Bach's 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' is a collection of preludes and fugues."
A state or period of loss of awareness of one's identity, often coupled with flight from one's usual environment, associated with certain forms of psychological trauma.
/fjuːɡ/
A psychological state
Dissociative fugue is a rare but serious condition often triggered by traumatic events.
💡 Simply: Imagine you suddenly forget who you are, where you live, and start wandering around. It's like your brain is taking a vacation without you knowing it, and you're running away from your own life.
👶 For kids: When your brain forgets who you are and where you live, and you start to wander around, kind of like a lost puppy.
More Examples
The amnesiac wandered for weeks, experiencing a fugue state with no recollection of his past.
How It's Used
"The patient experienced a dissociative fugue, wandering for days with no memory of their identity."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Italian *fuga*, meaning 'flight' or 'chase', ultimately derived from the Latin *fugere*, meaning 'to flee'. The musical term reflects the 'chasing' or overlapping of musical themes. The psychological term emerged later, drawing an analogy to the disoriented state of 'fleeing' from reality.
Historically, the term 'fugue' has been used in music theory since the 16th century, and the psychological term emerged later in the 19th century.
Memory tip
Imagine a musical chase: the melody is the 'fugitive' being pursued by different instruments.
Word Origin
"flight, chase (from Latin 'fugere' - to flee)"