mellifluous
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 a similar meaning.
Pronunciation
[edit]Adjective
[edit]mellifluous (comparative more mellifluous, superlative most mellifluous)
- Flowing like honey.
- 1671, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
- Though in heaven the trees / Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines / Yield nectar; though from off the boughs each morn / We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground / Cover'd with pearly grain […]
- (figurative) Sweet, smooth and musical; pleasant to hear (generally used of a person's voice, tone or writing style).
- Synonyms: birdsweet, dulcet, euphonious, mellifluent
- 1671, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
- […] Socrates […] Wisest of men; from whose mouth issued forth / Mellifluous streams that water'd all the schools / Of Academicks old and new […]
- 1853, Sir Egerton Brydges, Life of Milton:
- No verses can be more mellifluous than Petrarch's: something of this will perhaps be attributed to the softness of the Italian language; but the English tongue is also capable of it, however obstinately Johnson may have pronounced otherwise.
- 2016 May 19, Rachel Aroesti, “Richard Ashcroft: These People review”, in The Guardian[1]:
- Certainly, he returns explicitly to the sound of Urban Hymns on his fourth solo album: neat, sad strings, unhurried percussion and his mellifluous foghorn of a voice.
- 2017 October 20, Ben Beaumont-Thomas, “In dreams: Roy Orbison hologram to embark on UK tour in 2018”, in The Guardian[2]:
- His iconic look, mellifluous croon and timeless songwriting means that he retains a strong fanbase.
- 2022 July 12, Simon Montlake, “In Jan. 6 spotlight, Mike Pence navigates a tricky post-Trump path”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
- Radio proved a perfect fit for the mellifluous tones of Mr. Pence, who called himself “Rush Limbaugh on decaf.”
Usage notes
[edit]Not to be confused with melliferous (“of a plant or its parts: bearing any substance (such as nectar or pollen) which is collected by bees to produce honey; (by extension) producing honey; (figurative) honeyed, sweet”).
Derived terms
[edit]Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]flowing like honey
sweet and smooth (tone, voice...)
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