Sinfonietta
/sɪnfəʊˈnjɛtə/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small-scale symphony (either in length or size of orchestra needed).
- 2 A small orchestra.
Synonyms
All synonymsEtymology
Either: * from the Italian sinfonietta; * formed on the Italian roots sinfonia (“symphony”) + -etta (feminine diminutive suffix), either in English or in German (as Sinfonietta) and adopted thence; or, * an alteration of the French symphoniette to resemble an Italian construction of the form sinfonia + -etta. Compare the French–Italian hybrid symphonietta.