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ballad

noun
/ˈbæləd/

Etymology

From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare. Doublet of balada and ballade.

  1. derived from ballare
  2. derived from ballada — “poem for a dance”
  3. borrowed from ballade

Definitions

  1. A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing

    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.
    • A wandering minstrel I — / A thing of shreds and patches, / Of ballads, songs and snatches, / And dreamy lullaby!

  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.

  3. To make mention of in ballads.

  4. ›+ 1 more definition

    1. To compose or sing ballads.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for ballad. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA