What does NEUME mean?

Here is the result in HTML text formatting: Neume
  1. Parts of Speech: Noun
  2. Definition: A neume is a symbol used in medieval musical notation to represent a single pitch or a group of pitches.
  3. Pronunciations: US: /ˈnjuːm/; UK: /njuːm/
  4. Origin and Usage: The word "neume" comes from the Greek "pneuma," meaning "breath" or "spirit." Neumes were used in medieval chant to indicate the shape and direction of a melody, and were an important precursor to modern musical notation. Today, neumes are still used in some forms of chant and early music performance.
  5. Synonyms: None.
  6. Related Words: Music, Notes, Scale, Pitch, Staff.
  7. Example Sentences:
    1. The choir director used neumes to teach the singers the correct melody.
    2. Neumes were an important development in the history of Western music.
    3. The notation of Gregorian chant is based on neumes.


Related 5 Letter Words List