villanella

[ vil-uh-nel-uh; Italian veel-lah-nel-lah ]

noun

, plural vil·la·nel·le [vil-, uh, -, nel, -ee, veel-lah-, nel, -le].

1. a rustic Italian part song without accompaniment.

villanella

/ ˌvɪləˈnɛlə /

noun

1. a type of part song originating in Naples during the 16th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of villanella¹

1590–1600; < Italian, feminine of villanello rural, rustic, equivalent to villan ( o ) peasant, boor ( villain ) + -ello -ish

Word History and Origins

Origin of villanella¹

C16: from Italian, from villano rustic, from Late Latin vīllānus; see villain