First Known Use: 1656
Dictionary
recitative
noun rec·i·ta·tive \ˌre-sə-tə-ˈtēv, ˌres-tə-\
music : a passage in vocal music (such as an opera) in which the words are sung in a way that resembles speech
Full Definition of RECITATIVE
1
: a rhythmically free vocal style that imitates the natural inflections of speech and that is used for dialogue and narrative in operas and oratorios; also : a passage to be delivered in this style
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Origin of RECITATIVE
Italian recitativo, from recitare to recite, from Latin
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Rhymes with RECITATIVE
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