machicotage
noun
ma·chi·co·tage
\¦mashə̇kō¦täzh\
Definition of machicotage
-s
: the embellishment of the solo part of plain song by the insertion of ornaments between the authentic tones
Explore Merriam-Webster
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of machicotage
French, from machicoter to embellish plain song (from machicot, a former choir official in the chapter of Notre Dame in Paris, France) + French -age
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up machicotage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!