crescendo
pronunciation
How to pronounce crescendo in British English:
UK [krəˈʃendəʊ]
How to pronounce crescendo in American English:
US [krəˈʃendoʊ]
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- Noun:
- (music) a gradual increase in loudness
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- Verb:
- grow louder
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- Adjective:
- gradually increasing in volume
Word Origin
- crescendo (n.)
- 1776 as a musical term, from Italian crescendo "increasing," from Latin crescendo, ablative of gerund of crescere "to increase" (see crescent). Figurative use is from 1785. As a verb, from 1900.
Example
- 1. The advertising campaign reached a crescendo at christmas .
- 2. The conductor made expansive gestures as the musical piece reached its crescendo .
- 3. This year has seen a crescendo of attacks .
- 4. This has already started and the intensity is going to build to a crescendo .
- 5. But , as the weekend 's crescendo passes , important questions remain .