/voh"keuh liz'euhm/ , n.
1. Phonet.
a. a vowel, diphthong, triphthong, or vowel quality, as in a syllable.
b. the system of vowels of a language.
2. the use of the voice, as in speech or song.
3. the act, principles, or art of singing.
[ 1860-65; VOCAL + -ISM ]