n., pl., -nes (-nēz, -nāz), or -ni (-nē).
- A medieval Italian or Provençal lyric of varying stanzaic form, usually with a concluding envoy.
- A polyphonic song evolving from this form of poetry and resembling the madrigal in style.
[Italian, from Latin cantiō, cantiōn-, song, from cantus, past particple of canere, to sing.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
