acciaccatura

noun

ac·​ciac·​ca·​tu·​ra (ˌ)ä-ˌchä-kə-ˈtu̇r-ə How to pronounce acciaccatura (audio)
: a discordant note sounded with a principal note or chord and immediately released

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, literally, "bruising, crushing," from acciaccato, past participle of acciaccare "to bruise, crush, squash" (probably of onomatopoeic origin) + -ura -ure

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acciaccatura was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near acciaccatura

Cite this Entry

“Acciaccatura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acciaccatura. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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