Dictionary entry

Serenade

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Ser′e‐nade″ (?), n. [F. sérénade, It. serenata, probably fr. L. serenus serene (cf. Serene), misunderstood as a derivative fr. L. serus late. Cf. Soirée.] (Mus.) (a) Music sung or performed in the open air at nights; — usually applied to musical entertainments given in the open air at night, especially by gentlemen, in a spirit of gallantry, under the windows of ladies. (b) A piece of music suitable to be performed at such times.