1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 8… (1911)
“ DUET (an adaptation of the Ital. duetto, from Lat. duo, two) , a term in music for a composition for two performers, both either vocal or instrumental. The term is not properly applied to a composition for one voice and one instrument, the latter being regarded as an accompaniment, though in the modern evolution of this latter form of composition it often has the same character. Both parts must be of equal importance; if one is subordinated to the other it becomes an accompaniment and the work ceases to be a duet. ”
