Idyll vs. Instrumental — What's the Difference?

An idyll (British English) or idyl (American English) ( or ; from Greek εἰδύλλιον, eidullion, "short poem") is a short poem, descriptive of rustic life, written in the style of Theocritus' short pastoral poems, the Idylls. Unlike Homer, Theocritus did not engage in heroes and warfare.

An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instrumentals.

A short poem or prose piece depicting a rural or pastoral scene, usually in idealized terms.

Serving as a means or agency; implemental

A narrative poem treating an epic or romantic theme.

Of, relating to, or accomplished with an instrument or tool.

A scene or event of a simple and tranquil nature.

(Music) Performed on or written for an instrument.

A carefree episode or experience

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being the case used typically to express means, agency, or accompaniment.

A romantic interlude.

Of or relating to instrumentalism.

Any poem or short written piece composed in the style of Theocritus' short pastoral poems, the Idylls.

(Grammar) The instrumental case.

An episode or series of events or circumstances of pastoral or rural simplicity, fit for an idyll; a carefree or lighthearted experience.

A word or form in the instrumental case.

(music) A composition, usually instrumental, of a pastoral or sentimental character, e.g. Siegfried Idyll by Richard Wagner.

(Music) A composition for one or more instruments, usually without vocal accompaniment.

An episode of such pastoral or romantic charm as to qualify as the subject of a poetic idyll

Essential or central; of great importance or relevance.

A musical composition that evokes rural life

Serving as an instrument, medium, means, or agency.

A short descriptive poem of rural or pastoral life

(music) Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for an instrument, especially a musical instrument (rather than the human voice).

(grammar) Applied to a case expressing means or agency, generally indicated in English by by or with with the objective.

(grammar) The instrumental case.

(music) A composition written or performed without lyrics, sometimes using a lead instrument to replace vocals.

Acting as an instrument; serving as a means; contributing to promote; conductive; helpful; serviceable; as, he was instrumental in conducting the business.

Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music.

Applied to a case expressing means or agency; as, the instrumental case. This is found in Sanskrit and Russian as a separate case, but in Greek it was merged into the dative, and in Latin into the ablative. In Old English it was a separate case, but has disappeared, leaving only a few anomalous forms.

Relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments;

Serving or acting as a means or aid;