Canta'bile

Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 2: Beaugency to Cataract, p. 725

Canta'bile, in Music, is a term placed over sections of easy and flowing melody, in contrast to brilliant passages or rapid executive runs, as well in instrumental as vocal music. In the cantabile style the finest effects can be produced by the singer in swelling, sustained sound, the portamento, &c. Cantabile is also called cantilena.

Source scan(s): p. 0740