Word Study
Villanelle
CIDE DICTIONARY
Villanelle, n. [F.].
A poem written in tercets with but two rhymes, the first and third verse of the first stanza alternating as the third verse in each successive stanza and forming a couplet at the close. E. W. Gosse. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Villanelle, n. a usu. pastoral or lyrical poem of 19 lines, with only two rhymes throughout, and some lines repeated.
Etymology
F f. It. villanella fem. of villanello rural, dimin. of villano (as VILLAIN)
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