Main Entry:

¹ser·e·nade

Pronunciation:

\ˌser-ə-ˈnād\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno clear, calm (of weather), from Latin serenus serene

Date:

1649

1 a: a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance ; especially : one given outdoors at night for a woman being courted b: a work so performed2: an instrumental composition in several movements, written for a small ensemble, and midway between the suite and the symphony in style