ottava rima

noun

ottava ri·​ma -ˈrē-mə How to pronounce ottava rima (audio)
plural ottava rimas
: a stanza of eight lines of heroic verse with a rhyme scheme of abababcc

Examples of ottava rima in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The poet also elevated the ottava rima, a verse form that had been more commonly associated with popular minstrels. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, eighth rhyme

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ottava rima was in 1776

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Cite this Entry

“Ottava rima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ottava%20rima. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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