Virelay

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Virelay \Vir"e*lay\, n. [F. virelai; virer to turn + lai a song,
     a lay.]
     An ancient French song, or short poem, wholly in two rhymes,
     and composed in short lines, with a refrain.
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           Of such matter made he many lays,
           Songs, complains, roundels, virelayes.   --Chaucer.
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           To which a lady sung a virelay.          --Dryden.
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     Note: "The virelay admitted only two rhymes, and, after
           employing one for some time, the poet was virer, or to
           turn, to the other." --Nares.
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