berceuse

[ French ber-sœz ]
/ French bɛrˈsœz /

noun, plural ber·ceuses [French ber-sœz] /French bɛrˈsœz/. Music.

a cradlesong; lullaby.
a composition for instrument or voice, having a soothing, reflective character.

Origin of berceuse

1875–80; < French, equivalent to berc(er) to rock + -euse -euse

Example sentences from the Web for berceuse

  • Every violinist plays, or ought to play, his delicious "Berceuse."

    Masters of French Music |Arthur Hervey
  • When d'Albert plays Chopin's Berceuse, beautifully, it is a lullaby for healthy male children growing too big for the cradle.

    Plays, Acting and Music |Arthur Symons
  • The plaintive melody of the berceuse rang in her ears on duty and off, till at last she could stand it no longer.

    Leerie |Ruth Sawyer
  • If you would like some more, I will play you the Berceuse now.

    The Damnation of Theron Ware |Harold Frederic

British Dictionary definitions for berceuse

berceuse
/ (French bɛrsøz) /

noun

a cradlesong or lullaby
an instrumental piece suggestive of this, in six-eight time

Word Origin for berceuse

C19: from French: lullaby, from bercer to rock