Is plainsong a synonym for chant?

While plainsong and chant are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly synonyms. Here's why:

* Chant is a broader term, encompassing any type of sung liturgical music, including Gregorian chant, Byzantine chant, and other forms.

* Plainsong specifically refers to Gregorian chant, the official liturgical music of the Roman Catholic Church.

Therefore, plainsong is a type of chant, but not all chant is plainsong.

Think of it this way:

* Chant: Umbrella term for all sung liturgical music

* Plainsong: Specific type of chant, like Gregorian chant

It's like saying "car" and "Ford." All Fords are cars, but not all cars are Fords.