The Spanish term for stem.

Also [Eng.] stem; [Fr.] hampe (f); [Fr.] queue (f); [Fr.] queue de la note (f); [Ger.] Hals (m); [Ger.] Notenhals (m); [It.] asta (f); [It.] gambo (m); [Sp.] plica (m).

An ornament in Medieval music, notated by a short dash extending from the head of the note. The plica was probably a passing note, and was possibly sung so as to give the effect of a tremolo.