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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

Dictionary Entries Near ottava rima

Cite this Entry

“Ottava rima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ottava%20rima. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ottava rima

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!