staccato
pronunciation
How to pronounce staccato in British English:
UK [stəˈkɑ:təʊ]
How to pronounce staccato in American English:
US [stəˈkɑtoʊ]
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- Adjective:
- marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
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- Adverb:
- separating the notes; in music
Word Origin
- staccato (adj.)
- 1724, from Italian staccato, literally "detached, disconnected," past participle of staccare "to detach," shortened form of distaccare "separate, detach," from Middle French destacher, from Old French destachier "to detach" (see detach). As an adverb from 1844. Related: Staccatissimo.
Example
- 1. Staccato applause ; a staccato command ; staccato notes .
- 2. She played three quick chords , very firm and staccato .
- 3. At the outset of " we used to wait " , staccato , minor-key piano chords evoke anxiety .
- 4. Our breath began to take the form of staccato gasps .
- 5. She sort of said it like that , all broken up and staccato ?