Mād'rī-gal, n.
n. [Fr., Sp., & Pg. id., It. madrigale, O. It. madriale, mandriale, O. Sp. mandrial, mandrigal, from It. mandra, mandria, O. Sp. mandra, flock, sheepfold, from Lat. mandra, Gr. μάνδρα, stall, herd of cattle, hence, madrigal, originally a pastoral song.]
Sense 1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, not confined to the scrupulous regularity of a sonnet, or the subtlety of the epigram, but containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
Whose artful strains have oft delayed The budding brook to hear his madrigal. Milton.
Sense 2. (Mus.) An elaborate vocal composition, in five or six parts.