capriccio

American  

[kuh-pree-chee-oh, kah-preet-chaw] / kəˈpri tʃiˌoʊ, kɑˈprit tʃɔ /

noun

plural

capriccios, capricci

1. Music. a composition in a free, irregular style.

2. a caper; prank.

3. a whim; caprice.

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capriccio British  

/ kəˈprɪtʃɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. music a lively piece composed freely and without adhering to the rules for any specific musical form

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Etymology

Origin of capriccio

First recorded in 1595–1605; Italian “sudden startle,” possibly from capra “nanny goat” or capro “billy goat” (as of the skipping of a kid or goat), from Vulgar Latin capriceus “goat” (unattested); possibly from capo capo ² ( def. ) and riccio (adjective) “curly,” (noun) “hedgehog” ( see arriccio ( def. ))

Example Sentences

Finally, Conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos appeared and gave the downbeat, and the perplexed audience settled down to the first U.S. performance of Ferruccio Busoni's "theatrical capriccio," Harlequin.

From Time Magazine Archive

An adagio may set a gouty father to sleep, and a capriccio may operate successfully on the nerves of a valetudinary mother.

From Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery by Lawrence, Robert Means

As the book is a mere capriccio, there can be no possible objection taken to it on this score.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 53, No. 331, May, 1843 by Various

So I played softly and voluptuously, till my scanty repertory was exhausted, and then drifted into a tender capriccio.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

The stillness returned, save for the little voices of the night—the owl's recitative, the capriccio of the crickets, the concerto of the frogs in the grass.

From Roads of Destiny by Henry, O.