Adjacent Words

piano definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: used chiefly as a direction or description in music; "the piano passages in the composition" [syn: piano, soft] [ant: forte, loud] n
1: a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds [syn: piano, pianoforte, forte-piano]
2: (music) low loudness [syn: piano, pianissimo] adv
1: used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly [syn: piano, softly] [ant: forte, loudly]

Merriam Webster's

I. adverb or adjective Etymology: Italian, from Late Latin planus smooth, from Latin, level — more at floor Date: 1683 at a soft volume ; soft — used as a direction in music II. noun (plural pianos) Etymology: Italian, short for pianoforte, from gravicembalo col piano e forte, literally, harpsichord with soft and loud; from the fact that its tones could be varied in loudness Date: 1803 a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. (pl. -os) a large musical instrument played by pressing down keys on a keyboard and causing hammers to strike metal strings, the vibration from which is stopped by dampers when the keys are released. Phrases and idioms: piano-accordion an accordion with the melody played on a small vertical keyboard like that of a piano. piano organ a mechanical piano constructed like a barrel-organ. piano-player 1 a pianist. 2 a contrivance for playing a piano automatically. Etymology: It., abbr. of PIANOFORTE 2. adj., adv., & n. --adj. 1 Mus. performed softly. 2 subdued. --adv. 1 Mus. softly. 2 in a subdued manner. --n. (pl. -os or piani) Mus. a piano passage . Etymology: It. f. L planus flat, (of sound) soft

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Piano Pi*a"no, a. & adv. [It., even, smooth, soft, fr. L. planus even, level.] (Mus.) Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev. p.)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Piano Pi*an"o, Pianoforte Pi*an"o*for`te, n. [It. piano soft (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see Plain, a.) + It. forte strong, fr. L. fortis (see Fort).] (Mus.) A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by keys. Dumb piano. See Digitorium. Grand piano. See under Grand. Square piano, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong case. Upright piano, one with an upright frame and vertical wires.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. A piano is a large musical instrument with a row of black and white keys. When you press these keys with your fingers, little hammers hit wire strings inside the piano which vibrate to produce musical notes. I taught myself how to play the piano... He started piano lessons at the age of 7. ...sonatas for cello and piano. N-VAR: oft the N see also grand piano, upright piano 2. A piece of music that is played piano is played quietly. (TECHNICAL) ADV: ADV after v

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Pianoforte.

Foolish Dictionary

A tool frequently used in building a Rough House.

Moby Thesaurus

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