Part 248

Coleridge.

Sere, n. [F. serre.] Claw; talon. [Obs.] Chapman.

||Se*rein" (?), n. [F. Cf. Serenade, n.] (Meteorol.) A mist, or very ||fine rain, which sometimes falls from a clear sky a few moments after ||sunset. Tyndall.

Ser`e*nade" (?), n. [F. sérénade, It. serenata, probably fr. L. serenus serene (cf. Serene), misunderstood as a derivative fr. L. serus late. Cf. Soirée.] (Mus.) (a) Music sung or performed in the open air at nights; -- usually applied to musical entertainments given in the open air at night, especially by gentlemen, in a spirit of gallantry, under the windows of ladies. (b) A piece of music suitable to be performed at such times.

Ser`e*nade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Serenaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Serenading.] To entertain with a serenade.

Ser`e*nade", v. i. To perform a serenade.

Ser`e*nad"er (?), n. One who serenades.

{ Ser`e*na"ta (?), Ser"e*nate (?), } n. [It. serenata. See Serenade.] (Mus.) A piece of vocal music, especially one on an amoreus subject; a serenade.

Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his pround fair.

Milton.

The name serenata was given by Italian composers in the time of Handel, and by Handel himself, to a cantata of a pastoreal of dramatic character, to a secular ode, etc.; also by Mozart and others to an orchectral composition, in several movements, midway between the suite of an earlier period and the modern symphony. Grove.

Se*rene" (?), a. [L. serenus to grow dry, Gr. &?;&?;&?; hot, scorching.] 1. Bright; clear; unabscured; as, a serene sky.

The moon serene in glory mounts the sky.

Pope.

Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear.

Gray.

2. Calm; placid; undisturbed; unruffled; as, a serene aspect; a serene soul. Milton.

In several countries of Europe, Serene is given as a tittle to princes and the members of their families; as, His Serene Highness.

Drop serene. (Med.) See Amaurosis. Milton.

Se*rene", n. 1. Serenity; clearness; calmness. [Poetic.] "The serene of heaven." Southey.

To their master is denied To share their sweet serene.

Young.

2. [F. serein evening dew or damp. See Serein.] Evening air; night chill. [Obs.] "Some serene blast me." B. Jonson.

Se*rene", v. t. [L. serenare.] To make serene.

Heaven and earth, as if contending, vie To raise his being, and serene his soul.

Thomson.

Se*rene"ly, adv. 1. In a serene manner; clearly.

Now setting Phœbus shone serenely bright.