mel·lif·lu·ous
[muh–lif-loo-uhs]
–adjective
1. sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding: a mellifluous voice; mellifluous tones.
2. flowing with honey; sweetened with or as if with honey.
This is one of those deliciously onomatopoeiatic words. Sweetened with honey indeed, let it roll across your tongue: mel-lif-lu-ous.
When I have used this word in conversation, it’s generally a waste of time and complete communication breakdown. But I love this word. Bring it back into the vernacular!
Word origin – mellifluous
early 15c., from L.L. mellifluus “flowing with (or as if with) honey,” from L. mel (gen. mellis ) “honey” + -fluus “flowing,” from fluere “to flow” (see fluent).
Wisdom from Sir Ian McKellen, in wholly mellifluous tones: