villanella

American  

[vil-uh-nel-uh, veel-lah-nel-lah] / ˌvɪl əˈnɛl ə, ˌvil lɑˈnɛl lɑ /

noun

plural

villanelle

1. a rustic Italian part song without accompaniment.

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villanella British  

/ ˌvɪləˈnɛlə /

noun

1. a type of part song originating in Naples during the 16th century

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Etymology

Origin of villanella

1590–1600; < Italian, feminine of villanello rural, rustic, equivalent to villan ( o ) peasant, boor ( see villain) + -ello -ish

Example Sentences

It begins gracefully enough: O gemma leziosa, Adorna villanella, Che se' più virtudiosa Che non se ne favella, Per la virtude ch' hai Per grazia del Signore, Aiutami, che sai Che son tuo servo, amore.

From Pastoral Poetry and Pastoral Drama A Literary Inquiry, with Special Reference to the Pre-Restoration Stage in England by Greg, Walter W.