Definition of sostenuto
: sustained to or beyond the note's full value
—used as a direction in music
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Origin and Etymology of sostenuto
Italian, from past participle of sostenere to sustain, from Latin sustinēre
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First Known Use: circa 1724
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearDefinition of sostenuto
plural sostenutos
: a movement or passage whose notes are markedly prolonged
First Known Use of sostenuto
1757
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