Mus. Obs. [L. altus high (sc. cantus singing).] = ALTO sb.2
1609. Douland, Ornithop. Microl., 86. The Base requires a third below, and the Altus the same aboue.
a. 1659. Cleveland, Comm. Place (1677), 163. A Deep Base that must reach as low as Hell to describe the Passion, and thence rebound to a joyful Altus, the high-strain of the Resurrection.
