Definition of pizzicato
pizzicati
play \ˌpit-si-ˈkä-(ˌ)tē\: a note or passage played by plucking strings
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First Known Use of pizzicato
1790
2
pizzicato
adverb or adjective
piz·zi·ca·to
Definition of pizzicato
: by means of plucking instead of bowing —used as a direction in music — compare arco
Origin and Etymology of pizzicato
Italian, past participle of pizzicare to pluck
PIZZICATO Defined for English Language Learners
pizzicato
adverb
Definition of pizzicato for English Language Learners
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—used as a direction in music to indicate that notes should be played by plucking the strings of a violin, viola, cello, etc., with the fingers instead of by using a bow
Learn More about pizzicato
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pizzicato
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