1. An elaborate, ornamental melodic flourish interpolated into an aria or other vocal piece.
2. An extended virtuosic section for the soloist usually near the end of a movement of a concerto.

[Italian, from Old Italian, cadence. See cadence.]

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.