noun
also neum or pneume ˈn(y)üm
( -s )
Etymology: neume, neum, from French, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin neuma, pneuma (also, group of notes sung to a final syllable as long as the breath lasts), from Greek pneuma breath; pneume from Medieval Latin pneuma — more at pneumatic
1. : a symbol in the musical notation of the middle ages derived from the Greek system of accents, indicating from one to usually four notes, and showing only relative pitch
2. : one of the square symbols in the plainsong notation of the Roman Catholic Church
3. : pneuma 2a
• neu·mic -mik adjective