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ottava

adverb or adjective
ot·​ta·​va | \ ō-ˈtä-və How to pronounce ottava (audio) \

Definition of ottava

: at an octave higher or lower than written —used as a direction in music

First Known Use of ottava

1848, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ottava

Italian, octave, from Medieval Latin octava

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The first known use of ottava was in 1848

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