piano

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A large musical instrument with a keyboard of black and white keys that you press to make sounds.

   She practises the piano for an hour every evening.

2. 2
   adv

   In music, a direction meaning to play softly and quietly.

   The composer marked this gentle passage to be played piano.

3. 3
   verb

   To play the piano.

   He pianoed quietly while the guests arrived.

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.

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