barcarole

noun

bar·ca·role | \ ˈbär-kə-ˌrōl

variants: or barcarolle

Definition of barcarole

1 : a Venetian boat song usually in ⁶/₈ or ¹²/₈ time characterized by the alternation of a strong and weak beat that suggests a rowing rhythm

2 : music imitating a barcarole

Examples of barcarole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The barcarole that sentimentally takes Pierrot home back to Bergamo, with a moonbeam for a rudder and a water lily for a boat, gets its sinister, otherworldly wind for its sails from the full quintet up to its eerie tricks. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, "Schoenberg knew. When the world goes mad, send in the clowns," 25 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barcarole.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.