'balladry' originates from English formation: the noun 'ballad' plus the suffix '-ry'. The word 'ballad' itself comes from Old French 'ballade' / Provençal 'ballada', ultimately from Latin 'ballare' meaning 'to dance'.

'balladry' changed from Middle English forms like 'ballade'/'ballad' (from Old French/Provençal) and was later created in English by adding the suffix '-ry' to produce the collective or abstract noun 'balladry'.

Initially related to 'dance-song' or 'a song for dancing', the sense shifted toward 'narrative song or poem' and later to the broader modern senses of 'the art or body of ballads' and 'a sentimental, lyrical style'.