Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

madrigalmore about madrigal

madrigal


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Madrigal  \Mad"ri*gal\,  n.  [It.  madrigale,  OIt.  madriale 
  mandriale  (cf.  LL  matriale);  of  uncertain  origin,  possibly 
  fr  It  mandra  flock,  L.  mandra  stall,  herd  of  cattle,  Gr  ? 
  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.  --Milton. 
 
  2.  (Mus.)  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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  madrigal 
  n  :  an  unaccompanied  partsong  for  2  or  3  voices;  follows  a 
  strict  poetic  form 
  v  :  sing  madrigals;  "The  group  was  madrigaling  beautifully" 




more about madrigal