/njuːm/, /n(j)um/
OriginFrom 15th c. Middle English newme, nevme, neme; from Middle French neume, in turn from Medieval Latin neuma or pneuma, either from Ancient Greek νεῦμα (neûma, “sign”), or else a corruption of πνεῦμα (pneûma, “breath”). In the latter case a doublet of pneuma.
- Any of a set of signs used in early musical notation.
- A sequence of notes to be sung to one syllable.
Formsneumes(plural) · neum(alternative) · neuma(alternative) · pneume(alternative)