alto

¹al·to

noun \ˈal-(ˌ)tō\

plural altos

Definition of ALTO

1

a : countertenor

b : contralto

2

: the second highest voice part in a 4-part chorus

3

: a member of a family of instruments having a range lower than that of the treble or soprano; especially : an alto saxophone

Examples of ALTO

1. She sang in her school choir as an alto.

Origin of ALTO

Italian, literally, high, from Latin altus

First Known Use: circa 1724

²alto

adjective

Definition of ALTO

: relating to or having the range or part of an alto

Examples of ALTO

1. He plays the alto sax.

First Known Use of ALTO

circa 1724

alto

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Voice or register that extends approximately from the F below middle C to the second D above it. The second-highest part in four-part music, it is normally sung by women. The name derives from contratenor altus, the part above the tenor part. It is used for some instruments that play principally in the alto range (alto saxophone, alto flute, etc.). See also countertenor.

Variants of ALTO

alto or contralto