Definitions

1. noun

An interval of a perfect fifth above the octave, or the interval of a perfect fifth below the octave.

“The composer used a contraoctave to create a sense of tension in the music.”

2. noun

In music, a note an octave lower than the note indicated by the symbol, or a note an octave higher than the note indicated by the symbol, depending on the context.

“The contraoctave note in the piano part added depth to the melody.”