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recitative

 - 6 dictionary results

rec⋅i⋅ta⋅tive

1  [res-i-tey-tiv, ri-sahy-tuh-]
Use recitative in a Sentence
–adjective
pertaining to or of the nature of recital.
Origin:
1855–60; recite + -ative

rec⋅i⋅ta⋅tive

2  [res-i-tuh-teev] Music.
–adjective
1. of the nature of or resembling recitation or declamation.
–noun
2. a style of vocal music intermediate between speaking and singing.
3. a passage, part, or piece in this style.
Origin:
1635–45; < It recitativo. See recite, -ive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To recitative
rec·i·ta·tive 1   (rěs'ĭ-tā'tĭv, rĭ-sī'tə-tĭv)   
adj.  Of, relating to, or having the character of a recital or recitation.
rec·i·ta·tive 2   (rěs'ĭ-tə-tēv' rěch'-)   
n.   In both senses also called recitativo.

  1. A style used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas in which the text is declaimed in the rhythm of natural speech with slight melodic variation and little orchestral accompaniment.

  2. A passage rendered in this style.


[Italian recitativo, from recitare, to recite, from Latin recitāre; see recite.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

recitative [(res-i-tuh-teev)]

A part of a cantata, opera, or oratorio in which singers converse, describe action, or declaim. It moves the action forward between the high musical moments. Recitatives are distinguished from arias, which are more expressive and musically more elaborate. Recitatives usually have only one syllable of text for each note of music, and the accompaniment by instruments is often very simple.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

recitative 
1645, from It. recitativo, from recitato, pp. of recitare, from L. recitare (see recite). Style of musical declamation intermediate between speech and singing. The It. form of the word was used in Eng. from 1617.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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