lai
9.9
A short medieval poem that tells a romantic story from legend
- noun
- /leɪ/
- Archaic
:
lai
- The poet recited a beautiful lai that told the story of lost love.
Examples
-
Her favorite collection includes a lai about a brave knight and his beloved.
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During the festival, many artists performed lais that captivated the audience.
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Have you already tried that use detector lai?
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In this boat, they were given hot bo lai tea, dry sheets to wrap themselves in, and assignments for places where they could find work without needing permits.
Fiction book (1998)
Synonyms
87
9.9
A short narrative poem or song from medieval times, often meant to be sung
is shorter and tied to medieval French tradition more lyrical than a performance form
62
3.7
A song or poem that tells a story, often from folk tradition
is a short lyrical medieval French piece that is courtly rather than popular
Surface Forms
Etymology
Lai comes from old French and the Celtic songs of Brittany called lais, which were short, often romantic poems. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'short love song' or 'little story in verse', which is why a lai today is a brief lyrical tale.