piano

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   used chiefly as a direction or description in music

   the piano passages in the composition

2. 2
   noun

   A percussive keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black colored keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings.

   The piano in his house takes up a lot of space.

3. 3
   verb

   To play the piano.

   Anyhow I pianoed to my own ear, and had no thought at that time for an audience.

4. 4
   verb

   To move (the fingers) up and down on, similar to the motions of a pianist playing the piano.

   He just stared at her, leaned back in his chair and pianoed his fingers along the tablecloth.

5. 5
   verb

   To equip with a piano.

   Other buildings will also be erected and pianoed by the same architect.

6. 6
   adv

   Softly, as a dynamic in a piece of music.

   (abbreviation) p

7. 7
   adj

   Gentle, soft, subdued.

   “Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick[…]that soft sort of manner does not do him justice.”[…] “Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too piano for me[…]”

8. 8
   verb

   To become softer and less intense.

   “You know, Mrs. Wrigglechops,” pianoed Miss Drucilla , even more meekly and mildly than before, "the ace is either one or eleven."

Etymology

Clipping of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano (“soft”) + forte (“strong”). So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. Doublet of llano, plain, and plane.