cantilena

{{About}}{{italic title}}{{wiktionary|cantilena}}

A {{lang|it|cantilena}} (Italian for "lullaby" and Latin for "old, familiar song") is a vocal melody or instrumental passage in a smooth, lyrical style.{{cite Grove|last=Harris|first=Ellen T.|date=2001|title=Cantilena(ii)|url=https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.04774|url-access=subscription}}