Music performed without instrumental accompaniment, usually meaning vocal singing only (as in 'a cappella').
From Italian 'a cappella' meaning 'in the chapel style,' from Latin 'capella' (chapel). Originally referred to the vocal style used in church choirs during the Renaissance.
The original 'a cappella' singers were church choirs in the 1500s who had no instruments in their chapels—so singing without accompaniment became so associated with church music that it's still called 'cappella' style today.
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