melisma

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me·lis·ma

M0206900 (mə-lĭz′mə)n. pl. me·lis·ma·ta (-mə-tə) or me·lis·mas A passage of multiple notes sung to one syllable of text, as in Gregorian chant.
[Greek, melody, from melizein, to sing, from melos, song.]
mel′is·mat′ic (mĕl′ĭz-măt′ĭk) adj.

melisma

(mɪˈlɪzmə) n, pl -mata (-mətə) or -mas (Music, other) music an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable[C19: from Greek: melody] melismatic adj

me•lis•ma

(mɪˈlɪz mə)

n., pl. -mas, -ma•ta (-mə tə) a musical phrase of several notes sung to one syllable, as in plainsong. [1605–15; < Greek mélisma song. See melody, -ism] mel•is•mat•ic (ˌmɛl ɪzˈmæt ɪk) adj.
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