melisma

[ mi-liz-muh ]

noun

, Music.

, plural me·lis·mas, me·lis·ma·ta [mi-, liz, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.

melisma

/ ˌmɛlɪzˈmætɪk; mɪˈlɪzmə /

noun

1. music an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable

Derived Forms

• melismatic, adjective

Other Words From

• mel·is·mat·ic [mel-iz-, mat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of melisma¹

First recorded in 1605–15, melisma is from the Greek word mélisma “song, tune”; melody, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of melisma¹

C19: from Greek: melody