monody

mon·o·dy  (mn-d)

n. pl. mon·o·dies

1. An ode for one voice or actor, as in Greek drama.

2. A poem in which the poet or speaker mourns another's death.

3. Music

a. A style of composition dominated by a single melodic line.

b. A style of composition having a single melodic line; monophony.

c. A composition in either of these styles.

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[Late Latin mondia, from Greek monidi : mono-, mono- + aoid, id, song; see wed-² in Indo-European roots.]

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mo·nodic (m-ndk), mo·nodi·cal (--kl) adj.

mo·nodi·cal·ly adv.

mono·dist (mn-dst) n.

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monody [ˈmɒnədɪ]

n pl -dies

1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (in Greek tragedy) an ode sung by a single actor

2. (Literature / Poetry) any poem of lament for someone's death

3. (Music, other) Music a style of composition consisting of a single vocal part, usually with accompaniment

[via Late Latin from Greek monōidia, from mono- + aeidein to sing]

monodic  [mɒˈnɒdɪk], monodical adj

monodically  adv

monodist  n

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

monody - music consisting of a single vocal part (usually with accompaniment) monophonic music, monophony music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner