sestet

[ se-stet, ses-tet ]

noun

1. Prosody. the last six lines of a sonnet in the Italian form, considered as a unit. Compare octave ( def 4a ).
2. sextet ( def 2 ).

sestet

/ sɛˈstɛt /

noun

1. prosody the last six lines of a Petrarchan sonnet
2. prosody any six-line stanza
3. another word for sextet

Word History and Origins

Origin of sestet¹

1795–1805; < Italian sestetto sextet, equivalent to sest ( o ) (< Latin sextus sixth ) + -etto -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of sestet¹

C19: from Italian sestetto, from sesto sixth, from Latin sextus, from sex six

Example Sentences

The rhymes of the first two quatrains are usually the same; those of the sestet are variously arranged.

From Project Gutenberg

It is divided into two parts: the first consisting of an octave or double quatrain, and the other of a sestet.

From Project Gutenberg

It consists of six double stanzas, of fourteen lines or two septets each, finished by a sestet, aabaab.

From Project Gutenberg

The sestet may be taken as an excellent example of the manner in which Mozart turned his means of representation to account.

From Project Gutenberg

The moderated tone of the piece is of very good effect after the ponderous length of the sestet.

From Project Gutenberg