berceuse

[ber-sœz]

noun

Music.

plural

berceuses 

1. a cradlesong; lullaby.

2. a composition for instrument or voice, having a soothing, reflective character.

berceuse

/ bɛrsøz /

noun

1. a cradlesong or lullaby

2. an instrumental piece suggestive of this, in six-eight time

Word History and Origins

Origin of berceuse¹

1875–80; < French, equivalent to berc ( er ) to rock + -euse -euse

Word History and Origins

Origin of berceuse¹

C19: from French: lullaby, from bercer to rock

Example Sentences

"Impossible!" her vanity made reply, and the berceuse which she was playing assumed the character of a triumphal march.

From Project Gutenberg

As she passed each corpse she knelt beside it and sang the foolish little berceuse that Poitou mothers sing to their babies.

From Project Gutenberg

Doubtless she knew it too, as she sat there sewing on the frail garment which lay across her knee and singing blithely under her breath some air with cadence like a berceuse.

From Project Gutenberg

I found him seated in a berceuse on the veranda.

From Project Gutenberg

The plaintive melody of the berceuse rang in her ears on duty and off, till at last she could stand it no longer.

From Project Gutenberg