Lydian

[ lid-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Lydia.
2. (of music) softly or sensuously sweet; voluptuous.

noun

1. an inhabitant of Lydia.
2. an Anatolian language of Lydia, written in a modified Greek alphabet.

ˈLydian

/ ˈlɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Lydia, its inhabitants, or their language
2. music of or relating to an authentic mode represented by the ascending natural diatonic scale from F to F See also Hypo- Compare Hypolydian

noun

1. an inhabitant of Lydia
2. the extinct language of the Lydians, thought to belong to the Anatolian group or family

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lydian¹

First recorded in 1535–45; Lydi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

The epithet oxyphnos is worth notice in connexion with other evidence of the high pitch of the music known as Lydian.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary (the writer adds) the passive attitude is especially expressed by the Mixo-lydian.

From Project Gutenberg

The exception is the Mixo-lydian, which some ranked immediately below the Dorian, others above the Lydian.

From Project Gutenberg

Such an octave may or may not be in the Mixo-lydian key: it is certainly of the Mixo-lydian species (p. 57).

From Project Gutenberg

And Aristoxenus says that Sappho was the inventor of the Mixo-lydian, and that from her the tragic poets learned it.

From Project Gutenberg