recitative

UK: /ˌrɛsɪtəˈtiːv/, /rɪˈsaɪtətɪv/

US: (res′i tā′tiv, ri sī′tə- for 1; res′i tə tēv′ for 2)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rec•i•ta•tive¹  (res′i tā′tiv, ri sī′tə-), adj. 

1. pertaining to or of the nature of recital.

• recite + -ative 1855–60

rec•i•ta•tive²  (res′i tə tēv′), [Music.]
adj. 

1. Music and Dance of the nature of or resembling recitation or declamation.

n. 

2. Music and Dance a style of vocal music intermediate between speaking and singing.
3. Music and Dance a passage, part, or piece in this style.

• Italian recitativo. See recite, -ive
• 1635–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

recitative / ˌrɛsɪtəˈtiːv/ noun

1. a passage in a musical composition, esp the narrative parts in an oratorio, set for one voice with either continuo accompaniment only or full accompaniment, reflecting the natural rhythms of speech

Etymology: 17th Century: from Italian recitativo

recitative / rɪˈsaɪtətɪv/ adjective

1. of or relating to recital