Arias

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A musical composition typically for one voice, often with instrumental accompaniment, prevalent in operatic or concert settings
2. A solo vocal piece, usually expressive and elaborate, performed in the context of an opera or oratorio
3. A melodic, expressive song designed for one singer, demonstrating vocal skill and emotional depth, often found in classical performances

Etymology: "Arias" is simply the plural of "aria," so its story is the story of the singular. The Greek word "aḗr" meant "air," and it passed into Latin as "āēr," whose accusative form "āerem" was the basis for the Italian "aria." Through a process called metathesis, the sounds were rearranged, so the Latin "āerem" became "aria," and the word kept its original sense of air or atmosphere before developing its musical meaning. Because "aria" is a doublet of "air," the two English words are the same ancient word that split into two forms by different routes. "Air" came down through French and Old English, while "aria" arrived through Italian, which is why one is an everyday word for the atmosphere and the other names a showpiece for a singer.

Synonyms: songs, melodies, tunes, compositions, vocal pieces