From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
ballad
n 1: a narrative song with a recurrent refrain [syn: lay]
2: a narrative poem of popular origin [syn: lay]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Ballad \Bal"lad\, v. i.
To make or sing ballads. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Ballad \Bal"lad\, v. t.
To make mention of in ballads. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Ballad \Bal"lad\, n. [OE. balade, OF. balade, F. ballade, fr.
Pr. ballada a dancing song, fr. ballare to dance; cf. It.
ballata. See 2d Ball, n., and Ballet.]
A popular kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or
singing; as, the ballad of Chevy Chase; esp., a sentimental
or romantic poem in short stanzas.
[1913 Webster]