Libretto
/lɪˈbrɛt.oʊ/noun
The text of an opera or other long vocal work.
Did you know?Libretto comes from Italian, and its root is the same Latin word behind “library” and “libel,” all tied to the ancient idea of a written page, a book, or a little book.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
liber
“book; bark of a tree, originally the inner bark used as writing material”
Late Latin
Latin
libellus
“little book, booklet”
Italian
Italian
libretto
“small book; booklet; the text of an opera”
17th Century
English
libretto
“the text or words of an opera”
Modern English
English
libretto
“the words and stage directions of an opera or similar musical work”