madrigal
UK[ˈmædrɪɡ(ə)l]US[ˈmædrɪɡəl]
n
A part-song for several voices, typically unaccompanied, of a type developed for secular use in the 16th and 17th centuries.
n
A short lyrical poem suitable for musical setting.
Etymology
The word 'madrigal' entered English in the late 16th century from the Italian 'madrigale', which referred to a simple, pastoral song. The Italian term likely derives from the Medieval Latin 'matricale', meaning "simple, primitive, or of the womb (matrix)", suggesting something in its mother tongue or native form. An alternative theory traces it to the Late Latin 'matricalis', meaning "of the womb" or "invented, original", which itself stems from 'matrix' (womb, source). This etymological journey reflects the madrigal's artistic evolution from a rustic, native song form into a sophisticated and intricate polyphonic composition of the Renaissance.
Analysis
This word is a loanword borrowed as a complete unit from Italian. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes.
Examples
The choir performed a beautiful Renaissance madrigal by Thomas Morley.
His latest composition is a madrigal set to a poem about spring.
The group specializes in the performance of Italian madrigals from the 16th century.