Adjacent Words

melisma definitions

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Merriam Webster's

noun (plural melismata) Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, song, melody, from melizein to sing, from melos song Date: circa 1880 1. a group of notes or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong 2. melodic embellishment 3. cadenza • melismatic adjective

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. melismata or melismas) Mus. a group of notes sung to one syllable of text. Derivatives: melismatic adj. Etymology: Gk

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Melisma Me*lis"ma, n.; pl. Melismata. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a song.] (Mus.) (a) A piece of melody; a song or tune, -- as opposed to recitative or musical declamation. (b) A grace or embellishment.