ossia

See also: òssia

English

Etymology

From Italian ossia (“or rather”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɑsiə/, /ˈɔsiə/, /oʊˈsiə/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɒsɪə/, /ɒˈsiːə/

Noun

ossia (plural ossias)

1. (music) In a musical score, an alternative version of a passage, usually just a few measures long. The alternative may be an easier version of a particularly difficult passage, or a more difficult version of a passage.

References

• "Ossia staves" at LilyPond

Anagrams

• OASIS, Oasis, Osias, oasis

Italian

Alternative forms

• ovverosia

Etymology

Univerbation of o (“or”) +‎ sia (“that it be”). Compare Portuguese ou seja, Spanish o sea.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /osˈsi.a/
• Rhymes: -ia
• Hyphenation: os‧sì‧a

Conjunction

ossia

1. that is; to be precise (used to introduce a clarification or explanation)

   Synonyms: ovvero, vale a dire, cioè

2. or rather

Anagrams

• assio, sosia