Where does “melisma” come from?
melisma (English) comes from Ancient Greek μέλισμα, from Ancient Greek μελίζω, from Ancient Greek μέλος, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
melisma (English): A passage of several notes sung to one syllable...
Definitions
- A passage of several notes sung to one syllable...
Ancestry of “melisma”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | μέλισμα | song |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | μελίζω | sing, modulate; celebrate in song |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | μέλος | part of a body, limb, member, part; part of a... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |
Words derived from “melisma”