nocturne

[ nok-turn ]

noun

, Music.

1. a piece appropriate to the night or evening.
2. an instrumental composition of a dreamy or pensive character.

nocturne

/ ˈnɒktɜːn /

noun

1. a short, lyrical piece of music, esp one for the piano
2. a painting or tone poem of a night scene

Word History and Origins

Origin of nocturne¹

From the French word nocturne, dating back to 1860–65. See nocturn

Example Sentences

The lovely "nocturne" of the evening plain had passed into a Vision or Masque of Force that captured the mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Azalea stopped singing, but played on in dreamy mood a low, sad nocturne.

From Project Gutenberg

Emmie sang two more songs, Julia laughing and coquetting with Ethan over prelude and interlude; and then Julia played a nocturne.

From Project Gutenberg

How can one teach the interpretation of a Chopin nocturne, for instance, by merely talking about it.

From Project Gutenberg

The unique character of Nocturne makes it very hard to write about Swinnerton.

From Project Gutenberg