ballad
verbEtymology From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare. Doublet of balada and ballade.
1
Obsolete To make mention of in ballads.
2
To compose or sing ballads.
ballad
noun/ˈbæləd/ · /ˈbælɪt/
Etymology From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare. Doublet of balada and ballade.
1
A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
- The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.
- Of all varieties of poetry, the Ballad, in the form which it affects among us, in distinction to other countries, is, perhaps, one of the most attractive.1882, John Ashton, “Origin of Ballads”, in John Skelton, A Ballade of the Scottysshe Kynge. […], London: Elliot Stock, […], →OCLC, page 1:
1 more example
- A wandering minstrel I — / A thing of shreds and patches, / Of ballads, songs and snatches, / And dreamy lullaby!1885, Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado, act 1:
2
A slow romantic song.
- On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.
- He was playing the guitar and singing a ballad to his girlfriend while she was playing the drums.
- Derived terms
- balladeer, ballader, balladesque, balladic, balladist, balladize, balladlike, balladling, balladmonger, ballad opera, balladry, balladwise, border ballad, bothy ballad, bush ballad, murder ballad, power ballad