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Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See Counterpoint.

A form of melody in which a phrase or passage is successively repeated, each time a step or half step higher; a melodic sequence.

An accompanied dramatic recitative, interspersed with passages of melody, or followed by a full aria. Rockstro.

A Sicilian dance, resembling the pastorale, set to a rather slow and graceful melody in 12-8 or 6-8 measure; also, the music to the dance.

ous. "Sundry wines." Chaucer. "Sundry weighty reasons." Shak. With many a sound of sundry melody. Chaucer. Sundry foes the rural realm surround. Dryden.

Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.

f voices or instruments in unison, or two or more such series forming parts in harmony; a melody; an air; as, a merry tune; a mournful tune; a slow tune; a psalm tune. See Air.

Repetition of a theme or melody with fanciful embellishments or modifications, in time, tune, or harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation of a musical thought in new and varied aspects, yet so that the essential features of the original shall still preserve their identity.

Uttered or modulated by the voice; oral; as, vocal melody; vocal prayer. "Vocal worship." Milton.