pastourelle

noun

pas·​tou·​relle

variants or less commonly pastorelle

ˌpastəˈrel

plural -s

: a conventional form of poetic pastoral composed in French during the late middle ages and Renaissance and consisting of a love debate between a knight and a shepherdess

Word History

Etymology

French, young shepherdess, shepherdess's song, feminine diminutive of Old French pastour shepherd, from Latin pastor

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now