a. and sb. Music. [It. = that can be sung, suited for singing.]
A. adj. In a smooth flowing style, such as would be suited for singing.
1730–6. in Bailey.
1822. Repository, No. 80. 103. The smooth, cantable, and expressive melody which pervades its structure.
1864. Realm, 13 April, 8. Written in a simple cantabile style.
B. sb. Cantabile style; a piece or passage of music of this style.
1744. J. Green, Psalmody, 140. Cantabal, Vocal Music.
1788. J. Williams (A. Pasquin), Childr. Thespis (1792), 137. Tho her sportive cantabilies win us.
1808. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Wks., 1812, V. 353. The tuneful Nymph … That in cantabile delights the soul.
1856. Mrs. C. Clarke, trans. Berlioz’ Instrument., 81. It expresses them admirably in its cantabile.
