[mu.sic] n, often attrib [ME musik, fr. OF musique, fr. L musica, fr. Gk mousike any art presided over by the Muses, esp. music, fr. fem. of mousikos of the Muses, fr. Mousa Muse] (13c) 1 a: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony
2. a: an agreeable sound: euphony "her voice was ~ to my ears" b: musical quality "the ~ of verse"
3: a musical accompaniment "a play set to ~"
4: the score of a musical composition set down on paper
5: a distinctive type or category of music "there is a ~ for everybody --Eric Salzman"