madrigal

noun

mad·​ri·​gal ˈma-dri-gəl How to pronounce madrigal (audio)
1
: a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form
2
a
: a complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on a secular text developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries
b
: part-song
especially : glee
madrigalian adjective
madrigalist noun

Examples of madrigal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At best, Gidden’s singing and arrangement of a Monteverdi madrigal achieve remarkable eloquence. Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2021 After this is a setting of a Whitman poem for chorus a cappella in the style of a sixteenth-century madrigal, followed by a section in which a line from Dante’s Inferno is sung by a vocal trio in the style of a medieval motet. Walter Simmons, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021 Two concerts in the Seaport district follow: Italian madrigals by the Franco-Flemish composer Cipriano de Rore (a recording of which has just been released) next Friday, and a 15th-century program next Saturday. BostonGlobe.com, 25 Oct. 2019 Her two Rossi madrigals on texts by Giovanni Guarini were strong, heartfelt and rapturous in expression. Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, 9 Apr. 2018 The late-Renaissance composer’s final work, a cycle of 21 madrigals, will be staged by director Peter Sellars in his Ravinia debut. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 14 Mar. 2018 Features madrigals from Books V, VI, VII and VIII, and concertato works from Selva Morale e Spirituale. Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, 2 Apr. 2018 Works by Hartke and Shostakovich, plus madrigals by Gesualdo and Monteverdi. Mark Rapp, cleveland.com, 29 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'madrigal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian madrigale, probably from Medieval Latin matricale, from neuter of *matricalis simple, from Late Latin, of the womb, from Latin matric-, matrix womb, from mater mother

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of madrigal was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near madrigal

Cite this Entry

“Madrigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madrigal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

madrigal

noun
mad·​ri·​gal ˈmad-ri-gəl How to pronounce madrigal (audio)
1
: a short poem common in the Middle Ages
2
a
: a complex vocal piece developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries
b
: a song usually not accompanied by musical instruments and consisting of two or more voice parts : part-song
madrigalist noun

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