fala (fala)

In music, a kind of part-song or madrigal which originated in the latter half of the sixteenth century, the text consisting wholly or in part of the syllables fa la. Also spelled fal - la. Others wrote rhythmical songs of four or more parts, or ballets, or fal - las, all of which, being for unaccompanied voices, or for viols instead of voices, are often erroneously ranked as madrigals, though differing entirely in structure from them. Encyc. Brit., XV. 192. The native name falanaka (fa-la-nä kä), n . of a viverrine carnivorous quadruped of Mada- gascar, Eupleres goudoti . See Eupleres . falbalat, falbelot, n. [= D. falbala = G. fal- bel = Dan. falbelade = Sw. falbolan , fal- bal a , dial. farbala = Sp. falbalá , farfalá , faralá = Pg. It. falbala , a flounce, furbelow. Hence, by corruption, the present form furbelow .] A flounce. See furbelow. A street there is thro' Britain's isle renowned, In upper Holborn, near St. Giles's pound, Ten you sand habits here attract the eyes, Mixed with hoop-petticoats and falbeloes . New Crazy Tales (1783), p. 25.