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melisma definition

me·lisma (mə liz′mə)

noun pl. melismata -·mata (-mə tə) or melismas -·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

Related Forms:

  • melismatic mel′·is·mat′ic (mel′iz mat′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

melisma Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • little: This is generative both melodically ( the little melisma turning round one note ) and harmonically as the main basis for the movement.
melisma usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"melisma." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/melisma>

APA Style

melisma. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/melisma

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