monody
[mon-uh-dee]
- a Greek ode sung by a single voice, as in a tragedy; lament.
- a poem in which the poet or speaker laments another's death; threnody.
- Music.
- a style of composition in which one part or melody predominates; homophony, as distinguished from polyphony.
- a piece in this style.
- monophony(def 1).
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Origin of monody
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for monody
Historical Examples
In 1821, he wrote his Adonais, a monody on the death of Keats.
A Dish Of OrtsGeorge MacDonald
In 1797 lines 5-10 were restored to the Man of Ross and omitted from the Monody.
The Complete Poetical Works of Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge
The first eight lines are included in the Monody on Chatterton.
Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. I (of 2)Samuel Taylor Coleridge
He thought well of 'The Monody,' and warmly advised me to publish it.
He is chiefly remembered by his Monody on the death of his wife.
A Short Biographical Dictionary of English LiteratureJohn W. Cousin
monody
- (in Greek tragedy) an ode sung by a single actor
- any poem of lament for someone's death
- music a style of composition consisting of a single vocal part, usually with accompaniment
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Word Origin
C17: via Late Latin from Greek monōidia, from mono- + aeidein to sing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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