solfège

noun

sol·​fège säl-ˈfezh 

1

: the application of the sol-fa syllables to a musical scale or to a melody

2

: a singing exercise especially using sol-fa syllables

also : practice in sight-reading vocal music using the sol-fa syllables

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian solfeggio

First Known Use

circa 1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1