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Lydian

[lid-ee-uh n]
adjective
  1. of or relating to Lydia.
  2. (of music) softly or sensuously sweet; voluptuous.
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noun
  1. an inhabitant of Lydia.
  2. an Anatolian language of Lydia, written in a modified Greek alphabet.
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Origin of Lydian

First recorded in 1535–45; Lydi(a) + -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lydian

Historical Examples of lydian

  • The harmonies which you mean are the mixed or tenor Lydian, and the full-toned or bass Lydian, and such like.

    The Republic

    Plato

  • The Ionian, he replied, and the Lydian; they are termed 'relaxed.'

  • The pride of the Hellene is further humbled, by being compared to a Phrygian or Lydian.

  • The Dorian measure was grave and severe, the Lydian soft and effeminate.

  • That survey commences with the foundation of the Lydian monarchy.

British Dictionary definitions for lydian

Lydian

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 FSee also Hypo- Compare Hypolydian
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noun
  1. an inhabitant of Lydia
  2. the extinct language of the Lydians, thought to belong to the Anatolian group or family
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012