melismatic \mi-liz-MA-tik\, adjective:
Characterized by the singing of several notes to one syllable of text, for emotional impact, as in blues and other musical styles.
His blues are pure Texas and in an older style with thumping bass notes in the guitar playing and breathy melismatic singing.
-- American Folklore Society, Journal of American Folklore
It almost sounds as if he's making it up as he goes, ending each verse with a melismatic flourish.
-- Camille DeAngelis, Petty Magic: Being the Memoirs and Confessions of Miss Evelyn Harbinger
Melismatic finds its source in the Greek melisma, "music."
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