neume

[ noom, nyoom ]

noun

1. any of various symbols representing from one to four notes, used in the musical notation of the Middle Ages but now employed solely in the notation of Gregorian chant in the liturgical books of the Roman Catholic Church.

neume

/ njuːm /

noun

1. music one of a series of notational symbols used before the 14th century

Derived Forms

• ˈneumic, adjective

Other Words From

• neu·mat·ic [noo-, mat, -ik, nyoo-], neumic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of neume¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin neuma < Greek pneûma breath

Word History and Origins

Origin of neume¹

C15: from Medieval Latin neuma group of notes sung on one breath, from Greek pneuma breath

Example Sentences

The earliest form of notation of which we have any knowledge is called the Neume notation.

From Project Gutenberg

Neume, nūm, n. a succession of notes to be sung to one syllable, a sequence: an old sign for a tone or a phrase.

From Project Gutenberg