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melisma Definition

me·lisma (mə liz′mə)

noun pl. -·mata-mə tə or -·mas

a succession of different notes sung upon a single syllable, as orig. in plainsong or, now especially, in the ornamental phrases of Near Eastern and Asian music

Etymology: Gr, song < melizein, to sing, modulate < melos, song: see melic

melisma Related Forms
mel′·is·mat′ic (mel′iz mat′ik) adjective
melisma Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • vocal: Their instrumental sound twinkles with light casting the shadows in which Maclure's gasps, exhalations and vocal melismas can be found.
  • little: This is generative both melodically ( the little melisma turning round one note ) and harmonically as the main basis for the movement.

Browse dictionary entries near melisma

  1. ‹ meliorism
  2. ‹ melioration
  3. ‹ meliorate
  4. ‹ melinite
  5. ‹ Melinda
  6. ‹ melilot
  7. ‹ Melilla
  8. ‹ melic
  9. ‹ Melian
  10. ‹ melee
  1. Melissa ›
  2. Melissa worm ›
  3. Melitopol ›
  4. mell ›
  5. melliferous ›
  6. mellifluent ›
  7. mellifluous ›
  8. Mellon ›
  9. mellophone ›
  10. Mellotron ›