melisma
[ mi-liz-muh ]
/ mɪˈlɪz mə /
Save This Word!
noun, plural me·lis·mas, me·lis·ma·ta [mi-liz-muh-tuh]. /mɪˈlɪz mə tə/. Music.
an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Origin of melisma
OTHER WORDS FROM melisma
mel·is·mat·ic [mel-iz-mat-ik], /ˌmɛl ɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for melisma
melisma
/ (mɪˈlɪzmə) /
noun plural -mata (-mətə) or -mas
music an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable
Derived forms of melisma
melismatic (ˌmɛlɪzˈmætɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for melisma
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