Mel"o*dy (?), n.; pl. Melodies (#). [OE. melodie, F. m'elodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. a singing, choral song, fr. musical, melodious; 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.
© Webster 1913.