melisma

One entry found for melisma.

Main Entry: me·lis·ma
Pronunciation: mi-'liz-m&
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural me·lis·ma·ta /-m&-t&/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, song, melody, from melizein to sing, from melos song
1 : a group of notes or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong
2 : melodic embellishment
3 : CADENZA
- mel·is·mat·ic /"me-l&z-'ma-tik/ adjective