recitative

From Italian recitativo, from recitare, from Latin recitō.

• (noun)
  • IPA^(key): /ɹɛsɪtəˈtiːv/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• (adjective)
  • IPA^(key): /ɹɛˈsaɪtətɪv/, /ˈɹɛsɪteɪtɪv/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

recitative (plural recitatives)

1. (music) dialogue, in an opera etc, that, rather than being sung as an aria, is reproduced with the rhythms of normal speech, often with simple musical accompaniment or harpsichord continuo, serving to expound the plot.

   In Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, Bunthorne performs the recitative "Am I Alone and Unobserved?" before going on to his solo aria "If You're Anxious For To Shine".

recitative (comparative more recitative, superlative most recitative)

1. of a recital

recitative f pl

1. feminine plural of recitativo

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