Ambitus
DEFINITION
A Medieval term that refers to the range of pitches used in a melodic line or voice of a composition. A ambitus is considered narrow if it is a sixth or less, normal if it is about an octave, and wide if it is an eleventh or more.The pitch range of a mode or plainchant.The pitch range of any musical instrument.Also [Fr.] ambitus; [Ger.] ambitus; [It.] ambitus; [Sp.] ambitus the range of pitches used in a piece or a melodic line; narrow ambitus is typically a sixth or less, normal ambitus an octave or so, and wide ambitus would be an eleventh or more. the range of melodies of Gregorian chant