serenata

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ser=e=na=ta

CIDE DICTIONARY

serenata, n. [It. serenata. See Serenade.].

 A piece of vocal music, especially one on an amoreus subject; a serenade.  [1913 Webster]
" The name serenata was given by Italian composers in the time of Handel, and by Handel himself, to a cantata of a pastoreal of dramatic character, to a secular ode, etc.; also by Mozart and others to an orchectral composition, in several movements, midway between the suite of an earlier period and the modern symphony."  Grove.  [1913 Webster]
"Or serenate, which the starved lover sings
To his pround fair."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

serenata, n. Mus.
1 a cantata with a pastoral subject.
2 a simple form of suite for orchestra or wind band.

Etymology

It. (as SERENADE)