mellifluous
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin mellifluus (“flowing like honey”), from mel (“honey”) + fluō (“flow”). Compare superfluous and fluid, from same root, and with dulcet (“sweet speech”), alternative Latinate term with similar meaning.
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
mellifluous (comparative more mellifluous, superlative most mellifluous)
- Flowing like honey.
- Sweet and smooth; generally used of a person's voice, tone or writing style.
- 1915, W.S. Maugham, "Of Human Bondage":
- "You should read Spanish," he said. "It is a noble tongue. It has not the mellifluousness of Italian, Italian is the language of tenors and organ-grinders, but it has grandeur: it does not ripple like a brook in a garden, but it surges tumultuous like a mighty river in flood."
- 1915, W.S. Maugham, "Of Human Bondage":
Usage notes [edit]
Mellifluous (like honey) is more likely to be applied to a person’s writing style while dulcet (“sweet”) would only be appropriate for describing audible tone, voice or tenor.
Synonyms [edit]
- (Sweet and smooth style): dulcet
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
sweet and smooth (tone, voice...)
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