monody

noun pl. monodies -·dies

1. in ancient Greek literature, an ode sung by a single voice, as in a tragedy; lyric solo, generally a lament or dirge
2. a poem in which the poet mourns someone's death
3. a monotonous sound or tone, as of waves
4. Music
   1. an early vocal style having a single voice part with continuo accompaniment, as in Baroque opera
   2. a composition in this style
5. monophony

Etymology: LL monodia < Gr monōidia < monōidos, singing alone < monos, alone (see mono-) + aeidein, to sing: see ode