roundelay

American  

[roun-dl-ey] / ˈraʊn dlˌeɪ /

noun

1. a song in which a phrase, line, or the like, is continually repeated.

2. the music for such a song.

3. a dance in a circle; round dance.

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roundelay British  

/ ˈraʊndɪˌleɪ /

noun

1. Also called: roundel.  a slow medieval dance performed in a circle

2. a song in which a line or phrase is repeated as a refrain

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Etymology

Origin of roundelay

1565–75; alteration (influenced by lay ⁴ ) of Middle French rondelet, diminutive of rondel roundel

Example Sentences

In the end we are left with Agent Cooper and Laura Palmer, seemingly locked into a never-ending roundelay of repeating trauma.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Man, that’s an ambition worth an endless roundelay of soulless mid-level convention venues, empty hotel rooms and backseat rides in SUVs sitting next to people telling you how many points you’re down in the polls.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2024

A ticket is an entree to a 70-minute roundelay of dire versions of children’s playground games, with Korean snacks, claw games and shopping to follow.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Lapine, making his feature film debut, doesn’t have the technique to turn this amatory whirl into a lyrical roundelay.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

But thou, O cricket, with thy roundelay, Shalt laugh them all to scorn!

From The Old Soldiers Story Poems and Prose Sketches by Riley, James Whitcomb