opus
UK: ˈəʊ.pəs | US: ˈoʊ.pəs
n. a musical composition or set of compositions, typically numbered to indicate order of publication
n. (by extension) any artistic work, especially one of great significance or scale
Derived directly from Latin opus (meaning "work, labor, artistic work"), the term entered English in the 18th century to denote musical compositions. The root op- is also seen in related words like opera (plural of opus in Latin, later meaning "a dramatic musical work") and operate (from Latin operari, "to work"). The suffix -us is a common Latin noun ending. The word retains its original spelling and meaning, reflecting its scholarly and artistic usage.
Beethoven's Opus 131 is a masterpiece of late string quartets.
The artist considered this painting her greatest opus.
The composer assigned each work an opus number for cataloging.
His latest novel is an ambitious opus spanning three volumes.
The symphony was published as Opus 90 in 1814.