Coda Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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coda
[ˈkəʊdə ]
Definitions
music term
A coda is a concluding passage of a piece of music that brings it to an end. It can be thought of like a final section that rounds off the composition. In many musical forms, the coda serves to summarize the main ideas or themes of the piece. It often features distinctive musical phrases or motifs that encapsulate the work's overall character and style.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The symphony ended with a dramatic coda.
- The coda of the song added a surprising twist.
- In the final coda, the orchestra played softly.
linguistics
In linguistics, a coda refers to the segment or segments of a syllable that follow the nucleus. It consists of the consonant sounds that are arranged after the vowel in a syllable. The coda can change the syllable's meaning or character and often plays a significant role in phonology and the rules of syllable structure across languages.
Synonyms
consonant cluster, syllable ending.
Examples of usage
- The word 'cat' has a coda of 't'.
- In many languages, the coda is optional.
- Different codas can alter the pronunciation of syllables.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'coda'
The word 'coda' comes from the Italian term, which means 'tail'. Its use in music dates back to the late 18th century, when composers began to employ codas to signify the conclusion of their compositions. The term is derived from the Latin 'cauda', carrying a similar meaning. The linguistic use of 'coda' emerged later, as phonetics and syllable structure began to be analyzed more rigorously. Its adoption in various fields showcases the versatility of the term and its roots in classical music and language studies.