Ragtimes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A style of music characterized by syncopated rhythms and lively melodies, often associated with African American culture in the early 20th century
2. A genre that typically features the piano prominently and combines elements of jazz and folk music
3. A vibrant musical form that played a significant role in the development of jazz and influenced many subsequent musical styles

Etymology: Ragtime is the name of a music style, and the plural "ragtimes" is an inflected form of it, so the word's history is simply that of ragtime itself. The most likely explanation for the name is "ragged" plus "time," a nod to the music's syncopation, which keeps the melody tugging against the beat so it sounds broken up. A less favored theory traces the first part to "rag," an American dialect term for a dance ball, where people gathered to dance to this music. The plural form simply refers to multiple pieces, performances, or varieties of this style, as in several ragtime compositions gathered together.

Synonyms: ragtime music, ragtime tunes

Antonyms: classical music, blues