Grace note

//ˈɡɹeɪs nəʊt// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A musical note, indicated on a score in smaller type with or without a slash through it, played to ornament the melody rather than as part of it. Its note value does not count as part of the total time value of the measure it appears in.

    "There is a manner of gracing the notes or accents in reading, as in singing, but which is always at pleasure. This grace note in music is called appoggiatura, that is, supporter, insinuator. As the quantities of these little notes in music are always taken out of the next note that follows, so it is in speech. Instead of a plain acute accent, thus /, we may use, which corresponds exactly with the small musical grace note, a little circumflex grave-accute, thus ⎝; or acute-grave, thus ⎞; [...]"

  2. 2
    an embellishing note usually written in smaller size wordnet
  3. 3
    Something that decorates, embellishes, or ornaments; a finishing touch. figuratively

    "These concerns, often given mythic expression, explore the common human element in diverse experience: the poet [Rita Dove] touches the grace notes of famous and unknown lives, past and present."

Etymology

From grace (“elegant movement; poise or balance; charming, pleasing qualities”) + note.

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