ritornello

noun

ri·​tor·​nel·​lo ˌri-tər-ˈne-(ˌ)lō 

ˌri-ˌtȯr-

plural ritornelli ˌri-tər-ˈne-(ˌ)lē 

ˌri-ˌtȯr-

or ritornellos

1

a

: a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal composition

b

: an instrumental interlude in early opera

2

: a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

An orchestral ritornello serves as a bridge between each variation. —Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 30 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of ritorno return, from ritornare to return, from ri- re- + tornare to turn, from Latin, to turn on a lathe — more at turn entry 1

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a