sirvente

American  

[ser-vent, seer-vahnt] / sərˈvɛnt, sirˈvɑ̃t /

Or sirventes

noun

sirventes plural

1. a medieval poem or song of heroic or satirical character, as composed by a troubadour.

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sirvente British  

/ səˈvɛnt /

noun

1. a verse form employed by the troubadours of Provence to satirize moral or political themes

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Etymology

Origin of sirvente

1810–20; back formation from Provençal sirventes literally, pertaining to a servant, i.e., lover (the -s being taken as plural sign). See servant, -ese

Example Sentences

For he was making a sirvente in praise of Guenevere.

From Jurgen A Comedy of Justice by Cabell, James Branch

Barral had composed and committed to memory a sirvente or song of battle which he proposed to write out, paper and quill being permitted him in deference to his broken jaw.

From Romance of Roman Villas (The Renaissance) by Champney, Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Williams)

He deemed himself forgotten in his captivity, and composed an indignant sirvente in his favorite Provençal tongue.

From Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

The sirvente was a song of war or politics, sometimes satirical, sometimes in praise of the exploits of a generous patron.

From Woman's Work in Music by Elson, Arthur

The rhymes in the sirvente differed from what we consider correct by consisting always of a repetition of the same word.

From Woman's Work in Music by Elson, Arthur