canto
UK: ˈkæntəʊ | US: ˈkæntoʊ
n. a division of a long poem
n. a musical composition for a solo voice with instrumental accompaniment
n. (archaic) a song or melody
The word canto originates from Latin cantus, meaning "song" or "singing," derived from the verb canere ("to sing"). It entered English via Italian, where it retained its poetic and musical connotations. In literature, it refers to a section of an epic or narrative poem, while in music, it denotes a lyrical composition. The term reflects the blending of oral and written traditions in Western art.
Dante's Divine Comedy is divided into 100 cantos.
The opera featured a beautiful canto for soprano.
He recited a canto from The Odyssey at the event.
The composer wrote a canto inspired by folk melodies.
In medieval manuscripts, each canto was marked with an illuminated initial.