Mus. Obs. [ad. It. contratenore ‘a counter-tenor’ (Florio): see CONTRA- 4.] = COUNTERTENOR.
1552. Huloet, Contratenor in musycke, occentus.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 542. In sounds, wherein the contra-tenor seemeth to command over the base.
1717. L. Howel, Desiderius (ed. 3), 173. Honour … sings a Contratenor, and glorifies God for his infinite Wisdom.
1782. Mason, Collect. Anthems, p. xxxix. There was a very fine contratenor in the Royal Chapel.
