Madrigal

Madrigal, a short lyrical poem, generally of an amorous character. Petrarch and Tasso in Italy, and Lodge, Carew, and Suckling in England, are named amongst the poets who excelled in this branch of the art, In music the term denotes a song of elaborate character, but without instrumental accompaniment, written in five or six parts. The musical madrigal arose in Flanders in the 15th century, and spread thence to Italy, England, and other countries.