melic

American  

[mel-ik] / ˈmɛl ɪk /

adjective

1. intended to be sung.

2. noting or pertaining to the more elaborate form of Greek lyric poetry, as distinguished from iambic and elegiac poetry.

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melic British  

/ ˈmɛlɪk /

adjective

1. (of poetry, esp ancient Greek lyric poems) intended to be sung

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Etymology

Origin of melic

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin melicus, from Greek melikós, equivalent to mél(os) “limb; feature, form; musical member or phrase, song” + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

In this period, epic poetry declined, and lyric poetry took its place in the three forms of elegiac, iambic, and melic; the arts, too, were beginning to be cultivated.

From Greek Women by Carroll, Mitchell

Such is this island beach where Poe once walked, And heard the melic throbbing of the sea, With muffled sound of harbor bells— Bells—he loved bells!

From Carolina Chansons Legends of the Low Country by Heyward, DuBose

The Greeks, even in their melic poetry, saw no need for it.

From Open Water by Stringer, Arthur