sinfonietta

[ sin-fuh n-yet-uh, -fohn- ]
/ ˌsɪn fənˈyɛt ə, -foʊn- /

noun

a short symphony.
a small symphony orchestra, often composed solely of stringed instruments.
a symphony for fewer than the usual number of instruments.

Origin of sinfonietta

1920–25; < Italian; diminutive of sinfonia sinfonia

Example sentences from the Web for sinfonietta

  • In portions of the "Sinfonietta," five rhythms are to be found warring against each other.

    Musical Portraits |Paul Rosenfeld

British Dictionary definitions for sinfonietta

sinfonietta
/ (ˌsɪnfənˈjɛtə, -fəʊn-) /

noun

a short or light symphony
(capital when part of name) a small symphony orchestra

Word Origin for sinfonietta

Italian: a little symphony, from sinfonia