It contains a single septet, refrain, a strict rhyme scheme and a distinct meter pattern.
[1] Rondelet is the diminutive of rondel, a similar, longer verse form.
The term "roundelay" originates from 1570, from Modern French rondelet, a diminutive of rondel meaning "short poem with a refrain," literally "small circle".
From Old French rondel, a diminutive of rond meaning "circle, sphere," originally an adjective from roont.
The spelling developed by association with lay (noun) "poem to be sung.