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hemiola

n.

1. A phrase of music notated in one type of meter but accented as though it were being played in another meter. The classic hemiola is a phrase of triple meter (in this case 3/4) accented as though it were written in duple (2/4) meter. Hemiolas are often used to give the illusion of accelerando or ritardando.

2. Italian for "one and a half."
That hemiola made my head spin.
by Sommy July 9, 2004
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hemiola

this three guys surrounded me once and asked if they could perform a hemiola on me. i didn't know how to respond!
by br33zyxoxoxoxo November 13, 2011
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homework hemiola

When one does at least one and a half times as much homework as he or she expects.
Lazy Student 1: Wow, you finished your English paper!
Lazy Student 2: Yeah, I had a homework hemiola on Tuesday.
by Englebert Hedgehog January 3, 2014
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