sonata

Where does the word "sonata" come from? It comes from Latin sonare, passing through Italian before entering English (1700s).

Sonata’s story begins in Latin: sonare meant “to sound.” By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Italian as sonata. Literally "sounded", a piece meant to be played rather than sung. It reached English by 1700s as sonata. Italian 'sounded', played rather than sung ('cantata'); Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas. Today, sonata means a musical composition in several movements for one or two instruments.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient sonare "to sound", meaning "to sound".
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s sonata "a played instrumental piece", literally "sounded", a piece meant to be played rather than sung.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s sonata "a musical composition for one or two instruments", Italian 'sounded', played rather than sung ('cantata'); Beethoven wrote 32 piano sonatas.