madrigal
Noun · VerbUS[mad-ruh-guhl]/ˈmædrəɡəl/3 syllablesalso [mad-rih-guhl] /ˈmædrɪɡəl/
Open English WordNet
Verb (1)
- sing madrigals“The group was madrigaling beautifully”More general sing
Noun (1)
- an unaccompanied partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic formType of partsong
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onerousadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Mad′ri·gal (măd′rĭ-gal), noun
Origin: It. madrigale, OIt. madriale, mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. μάνδρα fold, stable; hence, madrigal, originally, a pastoral song.
1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
Whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear his madrigal.— John Milton
2. Music An unaccompanied polyphonic song, in four, five, or more parts, set to secular words, but full of counterpoint and imitation, and adhering to the old church modes. Unlike the freer glee, it is best sung with several voices on a part. See Glee.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54