sonata
    n 1: a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting
         forms

Sonata \So*na"ta\, n. [It., fr. It. & L. sonare to sound. See
   Sound a noise.] (Mus.)
   An extended composition for one or two instruments,
   consisting usually of three or four movements; as,
   Beethoven's sonatas for the piano, for the violin and piano,
   etc.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The same general structure prevails in symphonies,
         instrumental trios, quartets, etc., and even in
         classical concertos. The sonata form, distinctively,
         characterizes the quick opening movement, which may
         have a short, slow introduction; the second, or slow,
         movement is either in the song or variation form; third
         comes the playful minuet or the more modern scherzo;
         then the quick finale in the rondo form. But both form
         and order are sometimes exceptional.
         [1913 Webster]

Sonata

    The code name for the major Mac OS
   release due in mid-1999.

   
<http://devworld.apple.com/mkt/informed/appledirections/mar97/roadmap.html>.

   (1997-10-15)