Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sonata"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sonata \So*na"ta\, n. [It., fr. It. & L. sonare to sound. See
{Sound} a noise.] (Mus.)
An extended composition for one or two instruments,
consisting usually of three or four movements; as,
Beethoven's sonatas for the piano, for the violin and piano,
etc.
Note: The same general structure prevails in symphonies,
instrumental trios, quartets, etc., and even in
classical concertos. The sonata form, distinctively,
characterizes the quick opening movement, which may
have a short, slow introduction; the second, or slow,
movement is either in the song or variation form; third
comes the playful minuet of the more modern scherzo;
then the quick finale in the rondo form. But both form
and order are sometimes exceptional.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sonata
n : a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting
forms
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