Dictionary entry

Ritornelle

Webster's Dictionary 1913

{ Rit′or‐nelle″ (?), ‖Ri′tor‐nel″lo (?), } n. [It. ritornello, dim. of ritorno return, fr. ritornare to return: cf. F. ritournelle.] (Mus.) (a) A short return or repetition; a concluding symphony to an air, often consisting of the burden of the song. (a) A short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage, in the course of a vocal piece; an interlude.