grace note
UK /ˈɡɹeɪs nəʊt/ · US /ˈɡɹeɪs ˌnoʊt/ noun
Forms grace notes
- noun (music) 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.
- noun (figuratively) Something that decorates, embellishes, or ornaments; a finishing touch.
Synonyms
Etymology
From grace (“elegant movement; poise or balance; charming, pleasing qualities”) + note.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “grace note”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details