An empty staff used as an aid in teaching staff notation.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The Annual Register. Apparently from French méloplaste (although only documented from 1824; see note below) from mélo- + plaste.
Definition of meloplast in US English:
meloplast
(also méloplaste)
nounˈmɛlə(ʊ)plast
Music
An empty staff used as an aid in teaching staff notation.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in The Annual Register. Apparently from French méloplaste (although only documented from 1824; see note below) from mélo- + plaste.