ossia

[ oh-see-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

conjunction

(indicating an alternative, usually easier, version of a passage in a musical score) or; or else.

Origin of ossia¹

First recorded in 1875–80, ossia is from Italian o sia “or let it be”

Of these the most important result was Il Triregno, ossia del regno del cielo, della terra, e del papa.

Instituzioni, riti e ceremonie dell' ordine dei Francs-maons, ossia Liberi Muratori.

Thus, Paers Leonora, ossia lamore conjugale came to be overshadowed by the superior presence of Beethovens great work.

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