madrigal

[ mad-ri-guhl ]

noun

1. a secular part song without instrumental accompaniment, usually for four to six voices, making abundant use of contrapuntal imitation, popular especially in the 16th and 17th centuries.
2. a lyric poem suitable for being set to music, usually short and often of amatory character, especially fashionable in the 16th century and later, in Italy, France, England, etc.
3. any part song.

madrigal

/ ˌmædrɪˈɡælɪən; ˈmædrɪɡəl; -ˈɡeɪ- /

noun

1. music a type of 16th- or 17th-century part song for unaccompanied voices with an amatory or pastoral text Compare glee
2. a 14th-century Italian song, related to a pastoral stanzaic verse form

Derived Forms

• madrigalian, adjective
• ˈmadrigalˌesque, adjective
• ˈmadrigalist, noun

Other Words From

• madri·gal·esque adjective
• mad·ri·gal·i·an [mad-r, uh, -, gal, -ee-, uh, n, -, gal, -y, uh, n, -, gey, -lee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of madrigal¹

1580–90; < Italian madrigale < Medieval Latin mātricāle something simple, noun use of neuter of Late Latin mātricālis literally, of the womb. See matrix, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of madrigal¹

C16: from Italian, from Medieval Latin mātricāle primitive, apparently from Latin mātrīcālis of the womb, from matrīx womb

Example Sentences

Holderman retired pinch-hitter Nick Madrigal on a liner to end the inning.

From Seattle Times

Karen Spadafora’s RBI single in the fourth proved to be the winning run, while Stefanie Madrigal pitched a complete game.

From Seattle Times

Rogelio Madrigal, a shift supervisor at a CVS in San Pedro, started 16 years ago and has noticed changes through the years.

From Los Angeles Times

The Cubs quickly tacked on another, after Michael Busch drew a walk and Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal strung together consecutive singles.

From Los Angeles Times

I imagined, for instance, the furniture of “Encanto’s” Casa Madrigal suddenly springing to life once guests were strapped in.

From Los Angeles Times