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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"
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