recitative
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speechType of passage, musical passageKinds arioso
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incessantadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Rec′i·ta·tive′ (rĕs′ĭ-tȧ-tēv′), noun
Origin: It. recitativo, or F. récitatif. See Recite.
Music A species of musical recitation in which the words are delivered in a manner resembling that of ordinary declamation; also, a piece of music intended for such recitation; — opposed to melisma.
Rec′i·ta·tive′ adjective
Of or pertaining to recitation; intended for musical recitation or declamation; in the style or manner of recitative. — Rec′wb-a2′>′i·ta·tive′wb-a1′>′ly, adverb
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54