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cantilena

[ kan-tl-ee-nuh ]
/ ˌkæn tlˈi nə /
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noun

a simple, lyric, melodic passage for voice or instrument.

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Origin of cantilena

1730–40; <Italian <Latin cantilēna refrain, perhaps by dissimilation from *cantilēla, derivative of cantus song; see cant1

Words nearby cantilena

canthus, canticle, Canticle of Canticles, canticum, Cantigny, cantilena, cantilever, cantilever bridge, cantilever foundation, cantillate, cantillation
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Example sentences from the Web for cantilena

British Dictionary definitions for cantilena

cantilena
/ (ˌkæntɪˈleɪnə) /

noun

a smooth flowing style in the writing of vocal music

Word Origin for cantilena

C18: Italian, from Latin cantilēna a song
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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