Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Virelay
Vir′e-lay
,Noun.
[F.
virelai
; virer
to turn + lai
a song, a lay.] An ancient French song, or short poem, wholly in two rhymes, and composed in short lines, with a refrain.
Of such matter made he many lays,
Songs, complains, roundels,
Songs, complains, roundels,
virelayes
. Chaucer.
To which a lady sung a
virelay
. Dryden.
☞ “The virelay admitted only two rhymes, and, after employing one for some time, the poet was virer, or to turn, to the other.”
Nares.
Webster 1828 Edition
Virelay
VI'RELAY
n.A song or little poem among the Provencal poets in France; a roundelay. It sometimes consisted of two rhymes only, and short verses, with stops.
To which a lady sung a virelay.