aria

noun \ˈär-ē-ə\

: a song in an opera sung by one person

Full Definition of ARIA

: air, melody, tune; specifically : an accompanied elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice

: a striking solo performance (as in a movie)

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Italian, literally, atmospheric air, modification of Latin aer

First Known Use: 1723

geographical name \ˈa-rē-ə, ə-ˈrī-ə\

an E province of ancient Persian Empire; district now in NW Afghanistan & E Iran

— see herat

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