arpeggio

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the notes of a chord played one after another rather than simultaneously

   The pianist opened the piece with a rising arpeggio.

Borrowed from Italian arpeggio, from arpeggiare ("to play the harp"), itself from arpa ("harp"). The term came to name the harp-like technique of sounding a chord's notes successively on any instrument.

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