a cappella Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite sung without instrumental accompaniment
    • they sang an a cappella Mass
  2. adverb without musical accompaniment
    • they performed a cappella

WordNet

A cap*pel"la
Etymology
It. See Chapel.
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) (a) In church or chapel style; -- said of compositions sung in the old church style, without instrumental accompaniment; as, a mass a capella, i. e., a mass purely vocal. (b) A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.

Webster 1913