berceuse
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A lullaby; a quiet, gentle song sung to help a child fall asleep.
Usage
The word "berceuse" is a formal or artistic term for a lullaby. It is used to describe a piece of music, typically with a slow, rocking rhythm, composed for the purpose of soothing an infant or young child to sleep. It can refer to both a simple, traditional folk song and a more complex, composed musical work.
Examples
- The mother hummed a soft berceuse as she rocked the cradle.
- The composer's most famous work is a beautiful berceuse for piano and violin.
- The gentle berceuse from the music box filled the nursery.
Advanced Usage
- In classical music, a berceuse is a specific genre of instrumental composition, often for solo piano, characterized by a repetitive, rocking accompaniment that mimics the motion of a cradle. For example, Frédéric Chopin's "Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57" is a famous piece in this style.
- The term can be used metaphorically to describe anything with a soothing, lulling quality.
- The steady rhythm of the train wheels became a kind of berceuse, putting many passengers to sleep.
Variants and Related Words
- Lullaby (noun): The more common, everyday synonym for "berceuse."
- Cradle song (noun): Another synonym, emphasizing its association with a cradle.
Synonyms
- Lullaby
- Cradle song
Idioms
- To sing a berceuse: To sing a lullaby. This is a direct, literal use of the word rather than a fixed idiom.
- She sat by the crib to sing a berceuse.
Noun
- a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep