ariose

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

ariose
    adj 1: having a melody (as distinguished from recitative) [syn:
           {ariose}, {songlike}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Ariose \Ar"i*ose\, a. [It. arioso, fr. aria.]
   Characterized by melody, as distinguished from harmony.
   [1913 Webster]

         Mendelssohn wants the ariose beauty of Handel; vocal
         melody is not his forte; the interest of his airs is
         harmonic.                                --Foreign
                                                  Quart. Rev.
   [1913 Webster]