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Petrarchan

Petrarchan

9.9
A sonnet with eight lines in the first part and six lines in the second, used by Petrarch
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛtrɑrkən/
  • Literature
translation icon : soneto petrarquista
  • He analyzed the rhyme scheme of a classic Petrarchan in his literature class.

Examples

  • The poet chose the Petrarchan for her new collection, appreciating its traditional structure.

  • Many English writers experimented with the Petrarchan during the Renaissance.

  • Many poets admire the Petrarchan sonnet form.

  • A classic Petrarchan sonnet consists of 14 lines.

  • The poet chose the Petrarchan form for her new collection, appreciating its traditional structure.

  • Many English writers experimented with the Petrarchan sonnet during the Renaissance period.

  • He analyzed the meter and rhyme scheme of a classic Petrarchan sonnet in his literature class.

Synonyms

Petrarchan sonnet
vsPetrarchan
  • Literature
9.9

A 14-line poem with eight lines in one rhyme pattern and six in another

is the same form but named for the original poet
Italian sonnet
vsPetrarchan
  • Literature
8.4

A 14-line poem with eight lines that present a problem and six lines that respond using set rhyme patterns

is the same form but named after a country rather than a person

Compounds

Petrarchan sonnet
  • Literature
9.9

A 14-line poem with eight lines in one rhyme pattern and six in another

Surface Forms

Petrarchan singular
Petrarchans plural

Morphology

Petrarchan = Petrarch (semi-transparent) = Petrarch + an

Formally derived from the name plus '-an' to mark a style or relation; the specific technical meaning 'the sonnet form associated with Petrarch' is specialized.

Etymology

Petrarchan also names a type of sonnet after Petrarch; it usually has an eight-line 'octave' followed by a six-line 'sestet'. So, a Petrarchan sonnet is the two-part sonnet form he popularized.