melic

English

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɛlɪk/

Etymology 1

From Latin melicus, from Koine Greek μελικός (melikós), from Ancient Greek μέλος (mélos, “song, lyric”).

Adjective

melic (comparative more melic, superlative most melic)

1. Of or pertaining to Greek lyric verse. [from 17th c.]
   • 1962, JW Goethe, translated by WH Auden and Elizabeth Mayer, Italian Journey, Penguin, published 1970, page 315:

     I dined at their house, and in the evening, Miss Hart gave a demonstration of her musical and melic [translating melischen] talents.

Related terms

• melody
• melos

Etymology 2

From translingual Melica (genus name), probably from Italian melica, meliga (“sorghum, millet”).

Alternative forms

• melick

Noun

melic (plural melics)

1. Any of various grasses, of the genus Melica, from northern temperate regions. [from 18th c.]

Descendants

• → Welsh: meligwellt (“melic”)

Translations

grass

Czech: strdivka f Finnish: helmikkä (fi) French: mélique (fr) Welsh: meligwellt m pl

Anagrams

• clime