The upper side or top of something; in music, the soprano or highest part.
From French dessus meaning 'above' or 'on top,' from de- and sus (up or above), related to Latin super; used in English especially in musical contexts.
In baroque music, 'dessus' was the term for the highest singing voice in a choir, and you'll still see it in sheet music—it's a beautiful reminder that French musical terminology shaped how English speakers talk about pitch and voice parts.
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