cantilena

      English

      Etymology

      Italian or Latin cantilena (it)

      Pronunciation

      Noun

      cantilena (plural cantilenas)

      1. (music) a vocal melody or instrumental passage in a smooth, lyrical style
        • 1964, Anthony Burgess, The Eve of St Venus
          He played a lazy tune that sinuated from C sharp down to G natural and back again. Astonishing that he could flute so lazy a cantilena while chasing nymphs.

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      Italian

      Noun

      cantilena f (plural cantilene)

      1. lullaby
      2. singsong
      3. whining

      Verb

      cantilena

      1. third-person singular present indicative of cantilenare
      2. second-person singular imperative of cantilenare

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      Last modified on 18 June 2013, at 12:36