troubadour Hear it!

troubadour Definition

trou·ba·dour (tro̵̅o̅′bə dôr′)

noun

  1. any of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians in S France and N Spain and Italy during the 11th through 13th cent. who wrote poems and songs of love and chivalry, usually with intricate stanza form and rhyme scheme
  2. a minstrel or singer

Etymology: Fr < Prov trobador < trobar, to compose, invent, find < ? VL *tropare, prob. back-form. < contropare, to combine, compare < L con-, with (> OL com: see com-) + L tropus, trope

troubadour Synonyms

troubadour

n.

bard, poet, musician, balladeer; see minstrel, singer.

troubadour Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wander: Her true love is for the wandering troubadour, Thomas, who she knew in her happy childhood.
  • travel: Some traveled to the major cities of Europe whilst other troubadours traveled to the Holy Land accompanying the people who went on Crusade.

Adjective modifier

  • medieval: Don't let this worry you unduly: medieval troubadours apparently regarded dozing off during their performances as the greatest possible compliment.
  • French: The songs of French troubadours were heard in English courts as a result of England's political affiliations and royal marriages.
  • natural: May 26 Rory McLeod Rory McLeod is a natural troubadour and phenomenal one-man band.
  • such: Further influences inlcude the work of such classic troubadours as John Martyn and Van Morrison.
  • aristocratic: The aristocratic troubadours were poets who originated in the south of France where they wrote the lyrics in Provencal ( langue d'oc ).
  • late: He's just produced his 23rd album, the latest being Troubadour featuring a host of luminaries including Cliff Richard.

Modifies a noun

  • poet: History The sestina is one of several forms that originated with the troubadour poets of medieval Provence.
  • song: Its a troubadours song about living your life like the roll of a dice.
  • ballad: They perform sweet classical son and uptempo tough salsa, with a touch of the troubadour ballad.

Noun used with modifier

  • folk: Al Stewart: The true life adventures of a folk rock troubadour.
  • rock: Al Stewart: The true life adventures of a folk rock troubadour.