What does sestet mean?
A sestet is a group of six, most commonly a six-line stanza in poetry and especially the concluding section of a sonnet. Its appearance at the end of a poem can give that poem a concentrated, memorable conclusion, which is why the term is strongly associated with poetic structure. The word can also denote a musical composition or passage for six voices or instruments. In general use, it sounds formal and learned rather than everyday, making it useful when discussing verse form or ensemble writing. Although a sextet can describe a group of six performers, a sestet more specifically suggests either six poetic lines or a six-part musical work. The word ultimately comes from a Romance form built on the Latin numeral for six.
nounA sestet is a group or stanza of six lines, especially the final six-line section of a sonnet. It can also refer to a composition for six voices or instruments.
- A stanza or group consisting of six lines, especially the closing six lines of a sonnet.
- A musical composition or part written for six voices or instruments.
"The poem's closing sestet turns the preceding argument into a memorable final plea."
"The final sestet completes the sonnet with a striking change in tone."
"The composer arranged the theme as a sestet for strings and woodwinds."
The regular plural is used for groups of six poetic lines or for musical compositions involving six performers or parts.
"The collection contains several sestets for unaccompanied voices."
From the Latin for “six,” the sestet is a poetic six-line landing—or a musical voice in six.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sestet come from?
The English word comes from Italian sestetto, a form meaning “group of six,” ultimately derived from Latin sextus, meaning “sixth.” It was adopted for poetic groupings and later for music involving six performers or parts. The same Latin root also gives English cognates including sextet, sextant, and sextuple.
How sestet is actually used
The word is primarily literary and musical. In poetry, it is especially associated with the six-line concluding section of a Petrarchan sonnet; in music, it denotes a work or passage for six performers.
Easily confused with sestet
A sestet usually refers to a group of six poetic lines or a musical composition for six performers, whereas a sextet most often refers to a group of six musicians or performers.