1. Plural of diatessaron; a musical interval spanning four diatonic scale degrees, or a perfect fourth.
Usage: music; technical; historical
2. A harmony or synthesis of four gospels into a single narrative account, most famously Tatian's Diatessaron from the 2nd century.
Usage: religious studies; historical

Examples

• Medieval composers frequently used diatessarons in their polyphonic works.
• The interval of diatessarons was considered consonant in early music theory.
• Tatian's Diatessaron was one of the earliest attempts to combine the four gospels into one continuous narrative.
• Scholars have studied various diatessarons to understand how early Christians harmonized the gospel accounts.
• In music, diatessarons create a stable, open sound characteristic of Gregorian chant.