[bal.lad] n [ME balade ballade, song, fr. MF, fr. OProv balada dance, song sung while dancing, fr. balar to dance, fr. LL ballare] (14c) 1 a: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing b: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad
2: a simple song: air
3: a popular song; esp: a slow romantic or sentimental song -- bal.lad.ic adj