A serenade is a musical welcome delivered for a lover, friend, person of rank, or other person to be honored, according to the earliest use, which remains in informal form to the current day. The typical example would be a lover communicating with his lady love through a window. He might sing or play an instrument in an attempt to attract her attention. The word "serenade" comes from Latin serenus meaning "clear" or "bright". Thus, it originally meant "a song or piece of music intended to give pleasure by its clear sound". In modern usage, the term "serenade" has taken on a more specific meaning: a short vocal composition used as a greeting or farewell.