volta
volta Lexical Profile
volta Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A dramatic shift or turn in thought, emotion, or argument within a poem, typically occurring between the octave and the sestet of a Petrarchan sonnet or before the final couplet in a Shakespearean sonnet.
"The volta in the ninth line of the sonnet transitions the poem's tone from deep despair to profound hope."
A lively Renaissance couple dance characterized by a turning and lifting motion, historically popular in the courts of Europe.
"Queen Elizabeth I was known to enjoy dancing the volta, despite its slightly scandalous reputation for requiring the gentleman to lift his partner."
Word Nuance & Usage
In literary analysis, the term strictly denotes a dramatic shift of thought or emotion in a poem (especially a sonnet), whereas in musical notation, it is typically encountered as part of Italian directives meaning 'time' or 'turn' (e.g., 'prima volta' for 'first time').
• Rhymes for volta
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Italian 'volta' (a turn, a time), which is derived from Vulgar Latin based on the Latin verb 'volvere' (to turn, to roll).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.