monody: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

An elegy is a reflective poem of lament, often for the dead, and can be written or spoken by one or more voices. A monody is specifically a *sung* or *recited* lament performed by a *single* voice, originally in a dramatic context.

Rarely in its precise historical sense. The term might be used descriptively by critics or scholars to evoke a style, but contemporary genres do not use it as a standard classification. The musical technique it described evolved into later forms like aria and recitative.

No. While both involve a single speaker, a monologue is any extended speech by one person, often in drama. A monody is exclusively a lament or mournful song. All monodies are a type of monologue, but not all monologues are monodies.

No, they have different etymologies. 'Monody' comes from Greek 'monōidia' (singing alone). 'Monotony' comes from Greek 'monotonos' (of one tone). They share the prefix 'mono-' (one) but have distinct roots and meanings.

A poem or song in which a single mourner expresses grief or lamentation.

Monody is usually literary, technical (musicology), formal in register.

Monody: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒn.ə.di/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑː.nə.di/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.