ballad

From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare. Doublet of balada and ballade.

• IPA^(key): /ˈbæləd/
• (Appalachians, obsolete) IPA^(key): /ˈbælɪt/^[1]

• Audio (US):

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ballad (plural ballads)

1. A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.

   The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.

   • 1882, John Ashton, “Origin of Ballads”, in John Skelton, A Ballade of the Scottysshe Kynge. […], London: Elliot Stock, […], →OCLC, page 1:

     Of all varieties of poetry, the Ballad, in the form which it affects among us, in distinction to other countries, is, perhaps, one of the most attractive.

   • 1885, Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado, act 1:

     A wandering minstrel I — / A thing of shreds and patches, / Of ballads, songs and snatches, / And dreamy lullaby!

2. A slow romantic song.

   On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.

   He was playing the guitar and singing a ballad to his girlfriend while she was playing the drums.

• → Korean: 발라드 (balladeu)

ballad (third-person singular simple present ballads, present participle ballading, simple past and past participle balladed)

1. (obsolete) To make mention of in ballads.
2. (intransitive) To compose or sing ballads.

Borrowed from English ballad.

ballad m (plural ballads)

1. ballad

• “ballad” in Cornish Dictionary / Gerlyver Kernewek, Akademi Kernewek.