BALLAD


Meaning of BALLAD in English

I. ˈbaləd noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English balade, from Middle French, from Old Provençal balada dancing song, dance, from balar to dance, from Late Latin ballare — more at ball

1. : a song sung while dancing or to accompany a dance

2. : a part-song often in stanzas with a refrain : a light madrigal

3.

a. : a narrative composition in verse of strongly marked rhythm suited to simple singing or dancing ; specifically : a composition handed down by oral transmission from medieval and early modern times and having narrative combined with lyrical and sometimes dramatic elements — see ballad meter , ballad stanza

b. : an art song imitating such a composition

c. : broadside ballad

4. : ballade

5. : a popular song ; especially : a dance song of romantic or sentimental character and slow tempo

II. transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English baladen, from balade, n.

obsolete : to tell or sing of in ballads

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.