ˈtrōp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin tropus, from Greek tropos turn, way, manner, style; akin to Greek trepein to turn, Latin trepit he turns, and perhaps to Sanskrit trapate he is ashamed
1. : the use of a word or expression in a different sense from that which properly belongs to it for giving life or emphasis to an idea ; also : an instance of such use : figure of speech
2.
a.
(1) : any one of certain melodic decorations gradually developed in Gregorian music and employed at the close of psalms and responses
(2) : a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation to the sung parts of the mass (as introit or kyrie) especially during the medieval period
b. : any of the 44 groups or arrangements of the twelve-tone scales into two 6-note chords as developed by Josef Hauer and used by him as a basis of musical composition