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

This is not the kind of prelude to pass from one key to another, but merely a capriccio to try over a piano.

From The Letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Volume 01 by Nohl, Ludwig

But presently I did begin a capriccio, which I like very much, and it do go ever louder and louder; and I forgot that it was midnight and that everybody was asleep.

From Lives of Poor Boys Who Became Famous by Bolton, Sarah K.

This is not too fast for the capriccio, with its pretty and ingenious rhythmical transformations.

From Chopin : the Man and His Music by Huneker, James

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