Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAD'RI-GAL, n. [Sp. Port. and Fr. id.; It. madrigale. Its origin is not ascertained.]

1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing a certain number of free unequal verses, not confined to the scrupulous regularity of a sonnet or the subtilty of the epigram, but containing some tender and delicate, though simple thought, suitably expressed. Cyc.
2. An elaborate vocal composition in five or six parts. Busby.