Rĭt'or-nĕl'le or Rĭ-tor-nĕl'lo, n.

n. [It., dim. of ritorno, return, from ritornare, to return; Fr. ritournelle.] (Mus.) (a.) A short introductory or concluding symphony to an air, often consisting of the burden of the song. (b.) A short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage, in the course of a vocal piece.