melody

The definition of a melody is a sequence of pleasing sounds that make up a particular musical phrase.

(noun)

An example of melody is the most memorable arrangement of sounds in a musical composition.

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See melody in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. melodies

    1. pleasing sounds or arrangement of sounds in sequence
    2. musical quality, as in the arrangement of words
  1. Music
    1. a sequence of single tones, usually in the same key or mode, to produce a rhythmic whole; often, a tune, air, or song
    2. the element of form having to do with the arrangement of single tones in sequence
    3. the leading part, or voice, in a harmonic composition; the air

Origin: ME melodie < OFr < LL melodia < Gr melōidia < melos, song (see melic) + aeidein, to sing: see ode

See melody in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. mel·o·dies
  1. A pleasing succession or arrangement of sounds.
  2. Musical quality: the melody of verse.
  3. Music
    a. A rhythmically organized sequence of single tones so related to one another as to make up a particular phrase or idea.
    b. Structure with respect to the arrangement of single notes in succession.
    c. The leading part or the air in a composition with accompaniment.
  4. A poem suitable for setting to music or singing.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English melodie

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin melōdia

Origin: , from Greek melōidiā, singing, choral song

Origin: : melos, tune

Origin: + aoidē, song; see wed-2 in Indo-European roots

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