SEMIBREVE

Etymology

Noun

semibreve (plural semibreves)

(music) A musical note four beats long in 4/4 time; a whole note (US)

Coordinate terms

• breve

• crotchet

• minim

• quaver

• semiquaver

• demisemiquaver

• hemidemisemiquaver

Source: Wiktionary

Sem"i*breve`, n. Etym: [Pref. semi- + breve: cf. F. semi-breve, It. semibreve.] [Formerly written semibref.] (Mus.)

Definition: A note of half the time or duration of the breve; -- now usually called a whole note. It is the longest note in general use.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition