/ree'cheuhr kahr"/ , n.
1. Music. a chiefly polyphonic instrumental form of the 16th and 17th centuries closely resembling the vocal motet in structure and style.
2. a composition, esp. for a keyboard instrument, having this form.
Also, ricercare, ricercata /ree'cheuhr kah"teuh/ .
[ 1780-90; apocopated var. of RICERCARE ]