symphony

What it means

1. countableuncountableAn extended piece of music of sophisticated structure, usually for orchestra.

   classical symphony

   3 more examples

   compose a symphony

   full symphony orchestra

   The orchestra performed Beethoven’s Fifth symphony.

2. countableuncountableentertainmentAn instrumental introduction or termination to a vocal composition.
3. countableuncountableHarmony in music or colour, or a harmonious combination of elements.

   She described the city at night as a symphony of lights and sounds.

In a sentence

classical symphony

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱómder.?
3. Proto-Indo-European*sem-der.?
4. Proto-Hellenic*ksún
5. Ancient Greekσύν (sún)
6. Ancient Greekσῠν- (sŭn-)
7. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
8. Proto-Hellenic*pʰōnā́
9. Ancient Greekφωνή (phōnḗ)
10. Ancient Greekσῠ́μφωνος (sŭ́mphōnos)
11. Ancient Greekσῠν- (sŭn-)
12. Ancient Greekφωνή (phōnḗ)
13. Ancient Greekσῠμφωνῐ́ᾱ (sŭmphōnĭ́ā)
14. Latinsymphōnia
15. Old Frenchsimphonie
16. Middle Englishsymphonye
17. Englishsymphony

From Middle English symphonye, from Old French simphonie, from Latin symphonia, from Ancient Greek συμφωνία (sumphōnía). By surface analysis, sym- + -phony. Doublet of sinfonia, symphonia, tsampouna, and zampogna.