a cappella
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Italian alla cappella (“in the manner of the [Sistine] chapel”), referring to non-instrumental choirs; from Latin a-, ad, "to", + cappella, "chapel".
Pronunciation [edit]
- (UK) IPA: /ˌæ.kəˈpɛl.ə/, /ˌæ.kæˈpɛl.ə/ X-SAMPA: /%{.k@"pEl.@/, /%{.k{"pEl.@/
- (US) IPA: /ˌɑ kə.ˈpɛl.ə/
- Rhymes: -ɛlə
-
Audio (US) (file)
Adverb [edit]
a cappella (not comparable)
- (music) In a manner of a choir with no instrumental accompaniment; literally "in the style of the (Sistine) Chapel (in Rome)"; such as a musical Mass done a cappella.[First attested in the late 19th century.][1]
- Groups of teens singing a cappella on street corners got recording contracts.
- (obsolete, music) In alla breve time.
Translations [edit]
performed by a choir with no instrumental accompaniment
|
|
a time indication, equivalent to alla breve
Adjective [edit]
a cappella (not comparable)
- (music) singing solely or mainly without instrumental accompaniment.[First attested in the late 19th century.][1]
- An a cappella group sang during the wedding reception.
- (obsolete, music) alla breve.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brown, Lesley, ed. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. 5th. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Spanish [edit]
Adverb [edit]
a cappella
