melisma
noun
an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.
melismas
-
pluralof melisma.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For LeRoy, this idea resonates with the concept of melismas, or a group of notes sung at one syllable that often express a feeling without words, that is also often used in gospel music.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2022
“We started sending each other mixes,” he said, explaining how snippets of Rosalía’s vocal melismas made their way into his 2021 trap-bolero, “Aquel Nap ZzZz.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2021
Her phrases swell, tremble and spill over into melismas, and her verses crest with two different peaks.
From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2021
She can belt and she can tease; she can aim a note as directly as a missile or turn its trajectory into an aerobatic spiral of leaping, quivering, scalloping melismas.
From New York Times ● Jun. 13, 2018
Her voice held exhortations, gospel growls, flamboyant melismas, fast hip-hop articulation and melting romance.
From New York Times ● Sep. 27, 2015
