ottava rima

noun

ottava ri·​ma -ˈrē-mə How to pronounce ottava rima (audio)
plural ottava rimas
: a stanza of eight lines of heroic verse with a rhyme scheme of abababcc

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, eighth rhyme

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ottava rima was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near ottava rima

Cite this Entry

“Ottava rima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ottava%20rima. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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