Tzigane

[ tsi-gahn ]

adjective

1. (often lowercase) of, consisting of, or pertaining to the Roma:

   Tzigane music.

noun

1. a Romani, especially one from Hungary.

Tzigane

/ tsɪˈɡɑːn; sɪ- /

noun

1. 1. a Gypsy, esp a Hungarian one
   2. ( as modifier )

      Tzigane music

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tzigane¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from French tzigane, probably from Hungarian cigány, akin to German Zigeuner, Romanian ţigan, Serbo-Croatian cȉganin, Bulgarian tsíganin, all ultimately from Medieval Greek (a)tsínganos, earlier athínganos member of a heretical sect of Phrygia, perhaps literally, “untouchable, inviolable” ( Greek a- “not, without” + -thinganos, derivative of thingánein “to touch”); zingaro

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tzigane¹

C19: via French from Hungarian czigány Gypsy, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The ballet, originally known as “Tzigane” after its score by Maurice Ravel, was revived this season with a staging by Suzanne Farrell and a new name, “Errante,” or wandering.

From New York Times

Tzigane, a word that refers to Romani people, is now considered derogatory.

From New York Times

Other soloists included the saxophonist Steven Banks, who radiated mellow glamour in the long lines of a Glazunov concerto; the violinist Augustin Hadelich, who dug into the raw strangeness of Ravel’s “Tzigane” and drew out the warm midrange of his Guarneri violin in a relative rarity by Boulogne; and the violinist Joshua Bell, who played pieces by Florence Price and Henri Vieuxtemps in a concert I missed led by Jonathon Heyward, who will become the first Black music director of the Baltimore Symphony in 2023.

From New York Times

Slocumb, himself a classical musician and music teacher, writes eloquently of the racism Ray has faced in a world where not many look like him, and equally beautifully of the music Ray loves: Vivaldi’s “Winter,” Ravel’s “Tzigane,” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

From Seattle Times

“Tzigane” by the founding flutist of the ensemble, Valerie Coleman, wrapped up an evening of committed, communicative music-making.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• Romanichal
• tzigane
• zingara
• zingaro