siciliano

noun

si·​cil·​i·​a·​no

sə̇ˌsilēˈä(ˌ)nō,

sə̇ˌchi-

variants or siciliana

-nə

or sicilienne

sə̇¦silē¦en

plural -s

1

: a graceful Sicilian rustic dance in which the partners are joined with handkerchiefs

2

: the music for the siciliano in ⁶/₈ or ¹²/₈ time characterized by a lyrical melody with dotted rhythm and similar to the pastorale

Word History

Etymology

siciliano modification (influenced by Italian siciliano Sicilian) of Italian siciliana; siciliana from It, from feminine of siciliano Sicilian, from Sicilia Sicily (from Latin) + -ano -an (from Latin -anus); sicilienne from French, from Italian siciliana

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