Cantilena
Also found in: Dictionary, Wikipedia.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Cantilena
(1) A melody, either vocal or instrumental, of a lyrical character.
(2)The lyrical quality of music or its execution; a vocalist’s ability to lyrically execute a melody.
(3) In the 13th—15th centuries in Western Europe the term for small, secular homophonic and polyphonic vocal works of a lyrical and epic cast and for dance songs.
(4) From the end of the 17th century, a song or musical piece with a lyrical melody.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.