ricercar

[ ree-cher-kahr ]
/ ˌri tʃərˈkɑr /

noun

Music. a chiefly polyphonic instrumental form of the 16th and 17th centuries closely resembling the vocal motet in structure and style.
a composition, especially for a keyboard instrument, having this form.
Also ricercare, ri·cer·ca·ta [ree-cher-kah-tuh] /ˌri tʃərˈkɑ tə/.

Origin of ricercar

First recorded in 1780–90; apocopated variant of ricercare