Sonnet
/ˈsɒn.ɪt/noun
A poem of fourteen lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, often exploring themes of love.
Did you know?The term 'sonnet' derives from the Italian 'sonetto', which means 'little song', linking poetry deeply to music and emotion.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sonus
“sound or noise, a foundational concept in music and poetry.”
Old Italian
Italian
sonetto
“a little sound or song, emphasizing the melodic nature of the poem.”
14th Century
Italian
sonetto
“referring to a specific poetic form that captures emotions in a structured manner.”
16th Century
English
sonnet
“adopted from Italian, it became associated with a highly stylized and emotive poetic tradition.”
Modern English
English
sonnet
“a fourteen-line poem that conveys profound themes, often of love, beauty, and nature.”