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melisma

[ mi-liz-muh ]

noun

Music.
plural melismas, melismata
  1. an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.

melisma

/ mɪˈlɪzmə; ˌmɛlɪzˈmætɪk /

noun

  1. music an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • melismatic, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ··· [mel-iz-, mat, -ik], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of melisma1

First recorded in 1605–15, melisma is from the Greek word é “song, tune”; melody, -ism
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Word History and Origins

Origin of melisma1

C19: from Greek: melody

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