a musical structure consisting of two contrasting sections followed by a repetition of the first; the form aba
Also called: song form
ternary form in American English
noun
a musical form in three sections, with the third usually an exact repetition of the first
Word origin
[1895–1900]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: backstage, backwind, calling card, frame of reference, slapstick