Hypertext Webster Gateway: "recitative"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Recitative \Rec`i*ta*tive"\, n. [It. recitativo, or F.
r['e]citatif. See {Recite}.] (Mus.)
A species of musical recitation in which the words are
delivered in manner resembling that of ordinary declamation;
also, a piece of music intended for such recitation; --
opposed to melisma.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Recitative \Rec`i*ta*tive"\, a.
Of or pertaining to recitation; intended for musical
recitation or declamation; in the style or manner of
recitative. -- {Rec`i*ta*tive"ly}, adv.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
recitative
n : a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers
with natural rhythms of speech
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