A cappella
WordNet
adjective
(1) Without musical accompaniment
"They sang an a cappella Mass"
adverb
(2) Without musical accompaniment
"They performed a cappella"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , referring to non-instrumental choirs.
Adverb
- Performed by a choir with no instrumental accompaniment; literally "in the style of the (Sistine) Chapel (in Rome)"; such as a musical Mass done a cappella.
- A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
- Performed vocally without instrumental accompaniment.
- Groups of teens singing a cappella on street corners got recording contracts.