ossia

== English == === Etymology === From Italian ossia (“or rather”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɑsiə/, /ˈɔsiə/, /oʊˈsiə/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɒsɪə/, /ɒˈsiːə/ === Noun === ossia (plural ossias) (music) In a musical score, an alternative version of a passage, usually just a few measures long. The alternative may be an easier version of a particularly difficult passage, or a more difficult version of a passage. === References === "Ossia staves" at LilyPond === Anagrams === OASIS, Oasis, Osias, oasis == Italian == === Etymology === Univerbation of o (“or”) +‎ sia (“that it be”). Compare Portuguese ou seja, Spanish o sea. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /osˈsi.a/ Rhymes: -ia Hyphenation: os‧sì‧a === Conjunction === ossia that is; to be precise (used to introduce a clarification or explanation) or rather === References === === Anagrams === assio, sosia