Mel″o‐dy (?), n.; pl.Melodies (#). [OE. melodie, F. mélodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. � a singing, choral song, fr. � musical, melodious; μέλοσ song, tune + � song. See Ode.]
1. A sweet or agreeable succession of sounds.
Lulled with sound of sweetest melody. Shak.
2. (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.
☞ Melody consists in a succession of single tones; harmony is a consonance or agreement of tones, also a succession of consonant musical combinations or chords.
3. The air or tune of a musical piece.
Syn. — See Harmony.