cavatina Hear it!

cavatina definition

cava·tina (kav′ə tē′nə; It kä′vä tē′nä)

noun

  1. a short, simple solo song or melody that is usually part of a larger composition, such as an opera or oratorio
  2. loosely an instrumental composition of lyric quality

Etymology: It, dim. of cavata, artful production of sound < cavare, to dig out, extract < L, to excavate < cavus: see cave

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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