the pleasant way in which a person’s voice rises and falls （说话声的）抑扬顿挫 a regular rising and falling pattern in music, with a strong rhythm 节奏欢快的旋律；轻快活泼的曲调 Many of his patriotic songs have a stirring lilt. 他的许多爱国歌曲都有激动人心的旋律。
Word Originlate Middle English lulte (in the senses ‘sound (an alarm)’ or ‘lift up (the voice)’), of unknown origin.