presto

Meanings

1. 1
   intj

   used to announce a sudden or seemingly magical result

   Add a final turn of the key and, hey presto, the box opens.

2. 2
   adv

   music: at a very fast tempo

   The orchestra launched into the finale presto.

3. 3
   adj

   music: performed or marked to be performed very fast

   The presto passage demanded precise articulation.

Borrowed from Italian presto, 'quickly or soon,' from Late Latin praestus, 'ready.' The musical direction dates from the Baroque period; the magician's exclamation extends the idea of instant action.

Topics