capriccio

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   music: a lively, freely formed instrumental composition with a fanciful or improvisatory character

   The pianist ended the recital with a brilliant capriccio in a rapid minor key.

2. 2
   noun

   art and architecture: an imaginative composition that combines real and invented features, especially a fanciful architectural landscape

   The painter's capriccio placed Roman ruins beside an imaginary Venetian canal.

3. 3
   noun

   rare: a fanciful whim, prank, or playfully fantastic effect

   The flirtation acquired the theatrical capriccio flavor of an improvised comedy.

Borrowed from Italian capriccio, 'whim, fancy, or bizarre idea.' Its deeper origin is disputed. English specialized it for freely inventive musical pieces and imaginary artistic compositions, while caprice, borrowed through French, became the usual word for a sudden whim.

Topics