- the sound or sounds uttered through the mouth of living creatures, especially of human beings in speaking, shouting, singing, etc.
- the sounds naturally uttered by a single person in speech or vocal utterance, often as characteristic of the utterer.
- such sounds considered with reference to their character or quality: a deep voice; a loud voice.
- the condition of the voice for speaking or singing, especially effective condition: he was in poor voice.
- the ability to sing well: she has a wonderful voice.
- any sound likened to vocal utterance: the voice of the wind.
- anything likened to speech as conveying impressions to the mind: the voice of nature.
- the faculty of uttering sounds through the mouth, especially articulate sounds; utterance; speech.
- expression in spoken or written words, or by other means: to give voice to one's disapproval by writing a letter.
- expressed opinion or choice: his voice was for compromise.
- the right to express an opinion or choice; vote; suffrage: have no voice in a matter.
- expressed wish or injunction: ….
- the person or other agency by which something is expressed or revealed.
- musical sound created by the vibration of the vocal cords and amplified by oral and other throat cavities; tone produced in singing.
- Phonetics the sound produced by vibration of the vocal cords, as air from the lungs is forced through between them.
a. (in some languages, as Latin) a group of categories of verb inflection denoting the relationship between the action expressed by the verb and the subject of the sentence (e.g., as acting or as acted upon).
b. (in some other languages) one of several contrasting constructions with similar functions.
c. any one of such categories or constructions in a particular language, as the active and passive voices in Latin.
- the finer regulation, as of intensity and colour, in tuning, especially of a piano or organ.
- a singer.
- a voice part.
- to give voice, utterance, or expression to (an emotion, opinion, etc.); express; declare; proclaim: to voice one's discontent.
a. to regulate the tone of, as the pipes of an organ.
b. to write the voice parts for (music).
- Phonetics to utter with vibration of the vocal cords.
- to speak to on the telephone, as opposed to emailing or leaving a recorded message: to voice the client.
- phrase - with one voice, in chorus; unanimously. [Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vox]
Source: The Macquarie Dictionary. © Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library Pty Ltd (online edition 2005).
'Water/Va Pensiero' by Richard Vella
performed by The Ten Tenors with D10 Music Pty Ltd
quotation ‘Va Pensiero’ from Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi
recording ©2006 Richard Vella
To have a voice means to be heard, to be listened to. This can refer to actually being heard physically or metaphorically. A multiplicity of voices celebrates the multiplicity of identities. It is for this reason that I consider the voice to be a sacred instrument. Multiple voices means open communities, and through the vibrations of our voices we vibrate with the world around us. Voices not only tell of stories, they are stories in themselves. From opera to gospel to choirs, blues or throat singing, the voice is the vehicle for the expression of one’s spirituality par excellence.
Richard Vella in conversation with Stephen Adams
recording ©2006 ABC