ser·e·nade

[ser-uh-neyd] noun, verb, ser·e·nad·ed, ser·e·nad·ing.
noun
1.
a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night, as by a lover under the window of his lady.
2.
a piece of music suitable for such performance.
3.
serenata ( def 2 ).
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
4.
to entertain with or perform a serenade.

Origin:
1640–50; < French sérénade < Italian serenata; see serenata

ser·e·nad·er, noun
un·ser·e·nad·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To serenade
00:10
Serenade is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
serenade (ˌsɛrɪˈneɪd) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  a piece of music appropriate to the evening, characteristically played outside the house of a woman
2.  a piece of music indicative or suggestive of this
3.  an extended composition in several movements similar to the modern suite or divertimento
 
vb
4.  (tr) to play a serenade for (someone)
5.  (intr) to play a serenade
 
[C17: from French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno peaceful, from Latin serēnus calm; also influenced in meaning by Italian sera evening, from Latin sērus late]
 
sere'nader
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

serenade
1649, "musical performance at night in open air" (esp. one given by a lover under the window of his lady), from Fr. sérénade, from It. serenata "an evening song," lit. "calm sky," from sereno "the open air," noun use of sereno "clear, calm," from L. serenus "peaceful, calm, serene." Sense
infl. by It. sera "evening," from L. sera, fem. of serus "late." Meaning "piece of music suitable for a serenade" is attested from 1728. The verb is from 1668.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

serenade

originally, a nocturnal song of courtship, and later, beginning in the late 18th century, a short suite of instrumental pieces, similar to the divertimento, cassation, and notturno. An example of the first type in art music is the serenade "Deh! vieni alla finestra" ("Oh, Come to the Window"), from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Don Giovanni. The instrumental serenade gradually lost its association with courtship and became (about 1770) primarily a collection of light pieces such as dances and marches suitable for open-air, evening performance

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The crisp nights treat us to a star show, and coyotes and owls serenade us to sleep.
Let the frogs serenade you at this uncommon watering hole.
Town carolers will serenade families with holiday favorites during the breakfast buffet.
Meanwhile, my relaxed coworker had filled his to the brim without missing an eligible cherry-or a note in his nonstop serenade.
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