noun
- simple songs with a refrain that is repeated, especially folk songs or ballads with a circular or repetitive structure
Usage: literary; archaic
Examples
- The medieval minstrels sang roundelays to entertain the court.
- She hummed old roundelays her grandmother had taught her.
- The collection included several traditional roundelays from the countryside.
- Children danced in circles while singing cheerful roundelays.
- The poet incorporated the structure of roundelays into his verse.
- Folk musicians often perform roundelays at cultural festivals.