n. pl. can·zo·nes (-nēz, -nāz) or can·zo·ni (-nē) 1. A medieval Italian or Provençal lyric of varying stanzaic form, usually with a concluding envoy. 2. A polyphonic song evolving from this form of poetry and resembling the madrigal in style. [Italian, from Latin cantiō, cantiōn-, song, from cantus, past particple of canere, to sing; see kan- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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