Mĕl'o-dy, n.

n. [Fr. mélodie, Pr., Sp., Pg., It., & Lat. melodia, from Gr. μελῳδία, a singing, a tune to which lyric poetry is set, a choral song, from μελῳδός, musical, melodious, from μέλος, song, tune, and ᾠδή, contracted from ἀοιδή, song, from ἀείδειν, ᾄδειν, to sing.]

1Sense 1. (Mus.) A rhythmical succession of single tones, ranging for the most part within a given key, and so related together as to form a musical whole, having the unity of what is technically called a musical thought, at once pleasing to the ear and characteristic in expression. “Lulled with sounds of sweetest melody.” Shak.

☞— Melody consists in a succession of single tones; harmony in a succession of chords.

2Sense 2. The air or tune of a musical piece.

Synonyms—See HARMONY.