First Known Use: 1588
Dictionary
madrigal
noun mad·ri·gal \ˈma-dri-gəl\
: a type of song for several singers without instruments that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries
Full Definition of MADRIGAL
1
: a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form
2
a : a complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on a secular text developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries b : part-song; especially : glee
— mad·ri·gal·ian \ˌma-drə-ˈga-lē-ən, -ˈgā-\ adjective
— mad·ri·gal·ist \ˈma-dri-gə-list\ noun
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Origin of MADRIGAL
Italian madrigale, probably from Medieval Latin matricale, from neuter of *matricalis simple, from Late Latin, of the womb, from Latin matric-, matrix womb, from mater mother
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