'polyphonic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polyphōnos,' where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'phōnē' meant 'voice.'

'polyphōnos' transformed into the Medieval Latin word 'polyphonicus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'polyphonic.'

Initially, it meant 'having many voices,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.