glee. A choral comp. in a number of short self-contained sections, each expressing the mood of some particular passage of the poem set, the mus. predominantly harmonic (i.e. in blocks of chords), rather than contrapuntal. Properly it is for solo male vv. (unacc.). It flourished c.1750–c.1830, during which time a remarkable series of able composers, such as Samuel Webbe, made lavish contributions to the repertory, but subsequently gave way gradually to the part-song. It is a purely Eng. form, and was much fostered by the popularity of glee clubs. (In USA this name has been applied to univ. mus. clubs with more general aims.)

glee / glē/ • n. 1. great delight: his face lit up with impish glee.2. a song for men's voices in three or more parts, usually unaccompanied, of a type popular esp. c.1750–1830.

glee †play, sport; †ministrelsy, music OE. (unaccompanied part-song XVII); mirth, rejoicing XII. OE. glēo, glīo = ON. (rare) glý :- *ʒliujam (not repr. in other Gmc. langs.).