The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Melopoeia \Mel`o*p[oe]"ia\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; me`los song +
   poiei^n to make.] (Mus.)
   The art of forming melody; melody; -- now often used for a
   melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.
   [1913 Webster]