ALL meanings of melisma
me·lis·ma
M m - noun plural melisma an ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable of text, as in plainsong or blues singing. 1
- noun melisma A group of notes sung to one syllable of text. 1
- noun melisma an expressive vocal phrase or passage consisting of several notes sung to one syllable 0
- noun melisma a succession of different notes sung upon a single syllable, as orig. in plainsong or, now especially, in the ornamental phrases of Near Eastern and Asian music 0