vo·ca·lise \ˌvōkəˈlēz, ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun (pluralvocalises \-z(ə̇z)\) Etymology: French, from vocaliser to vocalise 1.: an exercise for singers, commonly using vowels or Italian syllables designed to develop vocal beauty or agility — compare solfe ge 2.: a vocalized melody or passage without words < long and haunting series of unaccompanied Oriental vocalises — Edward Sackville-West & Desmond Shawe-Taylor >