vo|cal

vo|cal «VOH kuhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. of the voice; having to do with the voice or speaking: »

vocal power, vocal talents, a vocal message. The tongue is a vocal organ.

2. made with the voice: »

I like vocal music better than instrumental.

3. having a voice; giving forth sound: »

Men are vocal beings. The zoo was vocal with the roar of lions.

4. Figurative. a) aroused to speech; inclined to talk freely: »

He became vocal with anger.

SYNONYM(S): articulate. b) active, especially in making known policy, desires, or other goals: »

a very vocal minority group.

5. Phonetics. a) of, having to do with, or like a vowel; vocalic. b) voiced.

–n.

1. a vocal sound. All vowels are vocals.

2. the part of music, or of a musical composition, that is to be sung: »

... the evolution in subtlety of the jazz vocal (Atlantic).

╂[< Latin vōcālis < vōx, vōcis voice. See etym. of doublet vowel. (Cf. ↑vowel)]