Ambitus (compass in music). In the earliest Church melodies, the compass did not in some instances reach, and in few did it exceed, a fifth. In Gregorian music the octave was the limit, but in later times this compass was much extended. A melody occupying or employing its whole compass was called cantus perfectus; falling short of this, cantus imperfectus; exceeding it, cantus plusquamperfectus. Subsequently other interpretations have been given to the word ambitus.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More