rondeau

noun

ron·​deau ˈrän-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce rondeau (audio)
rän-ˈdō
plural rondeaux ˈrän-(ˌ)dōz How to pronounce rondeau (audio)
rän-ˈdōz
1
a
: a fixed form of verse based on two rhyme sounds and consisting usually of 13 lines in three stanzas with the opening words of the first line of the first stanza used as an independent refrain after the second and third stanzas
b
: a poem in this form
2
: a monophonic trouvère song with a 2-part refrain

Word History

Etymology

Middle French rondel, rondeau

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rondeau was in 1525

Dictionary Entries Near rondeau

Cite this Entry

“Rondeau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rondeau. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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