What characterizes plainchant?

Plainchant, also known as Gregorian chant, is characterized by its monophonic texture, meaning it consists of a single melodic line without harmonic accompaniment. It features free rhythm, often aligning with the natural flow of the Latin text, and uses a modal system rather than a traditional major or minor scale. The melodies are typically sung in unison, with a focus on spiritual and liturgical expression, often performed in a church setting. Additionally, plainchant is marked by its use of neumatic notation, which indicates pitch but not exact rhythms.