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View synonyms for monody

monody

[ mon-uh-dee ]

noun

, plural mon·o·dies.
  1. a Greek ode sung by a single voice, as in a tragedy; lament.
  2. a poem in which the poet or speaker laments another's death; threnody.
  3. Music.
    1. a style of composition in which one part or melody predominates; homophony, as distinguished from polyphony.
    2. a piece in this style.


monody

/ ˈmɒnədɪ; mɒˈnɒdɪk /

noun

  1. (in Greek tragedy) an ode sung by a single actor
  2. any poem of lament for someone's death
  3. music a style of composition consisting of a single vocal part, usually with accompaniment
“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


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Derived Forms

  • monodic, adjective
  • ˈmonodist, noun
  • moˈnodically, adverb
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Other Words From

  • mon·o·dist [mon, -, uh, -dist], noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monody1

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin monōdia, from Greek monōidía “a solo, monody,” equivalent to monōid(ós) “singing alone” + -ia noun suffix; mon-, ode ) -y 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of monody1

C17: via Late Latin from Greek monōidia, from mono- + aeidein to sing
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Example Sentences

In my last communication on this subject, I forgot to remark on the strange title given to the monody on Mr. Browne.

The feature of this dramatic-musical novelty was its musica-parlante—a species of monody, or declamation, claimed to be la Grec.

The clavier by its very nature tended towards polyphony; the violin towards monody.

The chorus died; and we heard again the deep monody of the sea, like the admonitory voice of fate.

Milton's "Lycidas" is a monody on the death of the poet's friend, Edward King.

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