[a. F. cacophonie, in 16th c. cacofonie, ad. (through mod.L.) Gr. κακοφωνία, f. κακόφωνος; see above. Formerly used in latinized form cacophonia.]
1. The quality of having an ill sound; the use of harsh-sounding words or phrases. (The opposite of euphony.)
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Cacophony, an ill, harsh, or unpleasing sound, (in words) a vitious utterance or pronunciation.
1733. Swift, Lett., lxvi. Wks. 1761, VIII. 154. Alter rhymes, and grammar, and triplets, and cacophonies of all kinds. Ibid. (a. 1745), Wks. (1841), II. 419. To allow for the usual accidents of corruption, or the avoiding a cacophonia.
1753. Chesterf., Lett., cclxvii. Avoid cacophony, and make your periods as harmonious as you can.
1847–8. De Quincey, Protestantism, Wks. VIII. 140. My labours in the evasion of cacophony.
2. Music. A discordant combination of sounds, dissonance. Also fig. Moral discord.
a. 1789. Burney, Hist. Mus. (ed. 2), I. viii. 133. What a cacophony would a complete chord occasion!
1831. Macaulay, Lett., in Trevelyan, Life & Lett. (1876), I. iv. 223. The oppressive privileges which had depressed industry would be a horrible cacophony.
1880. Madame A. Goddard, in Girl’s Own Paper, 13 March, 166/2. The continual holding down of the loud pedal produces unutterable cacophony.
† 3. Med. Old term for a harsh, grating or discordant state of the voice (Mayne, Expos. Lex.).
