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pizzicato

noun piz·zi·ca·to \ ˌpit-si-ˈkä-(ˌ)tō \

Definition of pizzicato

plural pizzicati play \ˌpit-si-ˈkä-(ˌ)tē\
:a note or passage played by plucking strings

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Recent Examples of pizzicato from the Web

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First Known Use of pizzicato

1790

2

pizzicato

adverb or adjective

Definition of pizzicato

:by means of plucking instead of bowing —used as a direction in music — compare arco

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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

  • —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

  1. See words that rhyme with pizzicato Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pizzicato

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