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melisma

(mə liz′mə)

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

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

Related Forms:

melismatic adjective

See melisma in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. me·lis·ma·ta (-mə-tə) or me·lis·mas

A passage of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in Gregorian chant.

Origin:

Origin: Greek, melody

Origin: , from melizein, to sing

Origin: , from melos, song

Related Forms:

melˌis·matˈic (mĕlˌĭz-mătˈĭk) adjective

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