madrigal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmadrɪg(ə)l/

noun

  • a part-song for several voices, especially one of the Renaissance period, typically unaccompanied and arranged in elaborate counterpoint.

Derivatives

madrigalian

Pronunciation: /-ˈgeɪlɪən/
adjective

madrigalist

noun

Origin:

from Italian madrigale (from medieval Latin carmen matricale 'simple song'), from matricalis 'maternal or primitive', from matrix 'womb'