rallentando

adverb or adjective

ral·​len·​tan·​do ˌrä-lən-ˈtän-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce rallentando (audio)

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, slowing down, verbal of rallentare to slow down again, from re- + allentare to slow down, from Late Latin, from Latin al- ad- + lentus slow, pliant — more at lithe

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rallentando was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near rallentando

Cite this Entry

“Rallentando.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rallentando. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!