serenade English · revision 1503

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1649}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌsɛɹəˈneɪd/, /ˈsɛɹəˌneɪd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|sérénade]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[it|serenata|t=evening song]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) literally “calm sky”,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|it|sereno|t=the open air; clear, calm]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|serēnus|t=peaceful, calm, clear]] (see [[serene]]).^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The Italian word was influenced in meaning by [[m|it|sera|t=evening]], from Latin [[m|la|sēra]], feminine of [[m|la|sērus|t=late]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A musical performance given at night in the open air, especially by a lover under his lady's window (1649 in Barnhart and Merriam-Webster; 1656 in the OED; 1640s in Etymonline).^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word's origins require only that the performance be “serene”; the association with night comes from Italian ''sera''.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Klein 1966) In the late 17th century it was also a poem suitable for such a performance (1710, now obsolete).^(OED 1989) From 1728 it meant a piece of music composed for such a performance,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and later an instrumental work in several movements for a small ensemble, between the suite and the symphony.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) The verb, to perform a serenade, is from 1668,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) and to entertain someone with one from 1672.^(OED 1989) In some American dialects a ''serenade'' is a [[shivaree]].^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1649 – a night performance in the open air.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1668 – verb, to perform a serenade.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1672 – verb, to entertain with a serenade.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1728 – a piece composed for such a performance.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A performance of music given to honour or court someone, especially at night outside the person's window.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A piece of music suitable for such a performance.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An instrumental composition in several movements for a small ensemble, with features of the [[suite]] and the [[sonata]]; a [[divertimento]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(US dialect)'' A [[shivaree]].^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To perform a serenade for someone.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To perform a serenade.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[serenader]]

+ * [[unserenaded]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[serene]]

+ * [[serenata]]

+ * [[aubade]]

+ * [[nocturne]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}