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melisma

 - 2 dictionary results

me⋅lis⋅ma

  [mi-liz-muh]
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–noun, plural -mas, -ma⋅ta  [-muh-tuh] . Music.
an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.
Origin:
1605–15; < Gk mélisma song, tune. See melody, -ism

Related forms:
mel⋅is⋅mat⋅ic  [mel-iz-mat-ik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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me·lis·ma   (mə-lĭz'mə)   
n.   pl. me·lis·ma·ta (-mə-tə) or me·lis·mas
A passage of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in Gregorian chant.

[Greek, melody, from melizein, to sing, from melos, song.]
mel'is·mat'ic (měl'ĭz-māt'ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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