Fugue

/fjuːɡ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A musical composition in which a theme is introduced and then developed in interweaving parts.

Bach's 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' includes several pieces that exemplify the intricacies of fugue.

A state or period of loss of awareness of one's identity, often accompanied by flights of escape.

After the traumatic event, he experienced a fugue, during which he wandered aimlessly without recalling who he was.

A psychological condition where a person temporarily loses their sense of personal identity.

The patient was diagnosed with dissociative fugue after being found with no memory of his past.

From the Latin word 'fuga', meaning 'flight'.

fugue state

A psychological state characterized by loss of awareness of one’s identity and the flight from reality.

musical fugue

A style of composition that involves the interweaving of melodies.

going into a fugue

Referring to entering a dissociative state or experiencing memory loss.

dissociate

To separate or detach oneself from a mental process.

counterpoint

The relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and contour.

abandon

To give up completely.

Going blank or zoning out.

I was so tired during the meeting that I totally went into a fugue.

Escaping from reality unexpectedly.

He just fugued out after that argument; no one knew where he went.