n. pl. mel·o·dies 1. A pleasing succession or arrangement of sounds. 2. Musical quality: the melody of verse. 3. Music a. A rhythmically organized sequence of single tones so related to one another as to make up a particular phrase or idea. b. Structure with respect to the arrangement of single notes in succession. c. The leading part or the air in a composition with accompaniment. 4. A poem suitable for setting to music or singing. [Middle English melodie, from Old French, from Late Latin melōdia, from Greek melōidiā, singing, choral song : melos, tune + aoidē, song; see wed-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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