1 villanella | Definition of villanella

villanella

noun
vil·​la·​nel·​la | \ ËŒvi-lÉ™-ˈne-lÉ™ How to pronounce villanella (audio) \
plural villanelle\ ËŒvi-​lÉ™-​ˈne-​lÄ“ How to pronounce villanelle (audio) \

Definition of villanella

1 : a 16th century Italian part-song in an intentionally unsophisticated style
2 : an instrumental piece in the style of a rustic dance

First Known Use of villanella

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for villanella

Italian, from villano villein, peasant, from Medieval Latin villanus

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More from Merriam-Webster on villanella

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with villanella

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about villanella