sotto voce

sot·to vo·ce

adv or adj \ˌsä-tō-ˈvō-chē\

Definition of SOTTO VOCE

1

: under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner

2

: very softly —used as a direction in music

Origin of SOTTO VOCE

Italian sottovoce, literally, under the voice

First Known Use: 1737

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue