Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

melisma

[mi-liz-muh]
noun, plural me·lis·mas, me·lis·ma·ta [mi-liz-muh-tuh] /mɪˈlɪz mə tə/. Music.
  1. an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.
Show More

Origin of melisma

First recorded in 1605–15, melisma is from the Greek word mélisma song, tune. See melody, -ism
Related formsmel·is·mat·ic [mel-iz-mat-ik] /ˌmɛl ɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for melismatic

melisma

noun plural -mata (-mətə) or -mas
  1. music an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable
Show More
Derived Formsmelismatic (ˌmɛlɪzˈmætɪk), adjective

Word Origin

C19: from Greek: melody
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

Word Origin and History for melismatic

melisma

n.

1837, from Greek melisma "a song, an air, a tune, melody," from melos "music, song, melody; musical phrase or member," literally "limb," from PIE *mel- "a limb." Related: Melismatic.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper