English Explanatory Dictionary

sinfonietta

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small-scale symphony (either in length or size of orchestra needed).
  2. A small orchestra.

Pronunciation

sĭnfōnyĕʹtə /sɪnfəʊˈnjɛtə/

Word forms

sinfonietta sinfoniettas sinfoniette

Etymology

Either: * from Italian sinfonietta; * formed on the Italian roots sinfonia (“symphony”) + -etta (feminine diminutive suffix), either in English or in German (as Sinfonietta) and adopted thence; or, * an alteration of the French symphoniette to resemble an Italian construction of the form sinfonia + -etta. Compare the French–Italian hybrid symphonietta.

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