Definition of Pianissimo

1. Adverb. A direction in music; to be played very softly.

Exact synonyms: Very Softly
Antonyms: Fortissimo

2. Adjective. Chiefly a direction or description in music; very soft.
Similar to: Piano, Soft

3. Noun. (music) low loudness.
Exact synonyms: Piano
Generic synonyms: Softness
Category relationships: Music

Definition of Pianissimo

1. a. Very soft; -- a direction to execute a passage as softly as possible. (Abbrev. pp.)

Definition of Pianissimo

1. Adverb. (music) The musical term indicating that the piece (or a section of it) should be played very softly. ¹

2. Noun. A dynamic sign indicating that a portion of music should be played pianissimo. ¹

3. Noun. A portion of music that is played very softly. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pianissimo

1. [n -MOS or -MI]

Medical Definition of Pianissimo

1. Very soft; a direction to execute a passage as softly as possible. (Abbrev. Pp) Origin: It, superl. Of piano. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pianissimo

piaffing
pial
pial-glial membrane
pial funnel
pian
pian bois
pianet
pianette
pianettes
pianic
pianino
pianinos
pianism
pianisms
pianissimi
pianissimo (current term)
pianissimos
pianississimo
pianist
pianist's cramp
pianiste
pianistes
pianistic
pianistically
pianistics
pianists
piano
piano accordion
piano accordions

Literary usage of Pianissimo

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Impertinent Poems by Edmund Vance Cooke (1903)
"CONSCIENCE pianissimo You are honest as daylight. You 're often assured That your word is as good as your note — unsecured. We could trust you with millions ..."

2. Others for 1919: An Anthology of the New Verse by Alfred Kreymborg (1920)
"pianissimo I took Night Into my arms, Night lay upon my breast. If Night had wings She would have brought me Stars for my hair. The stars laughed Lightly ..."

3. Stars of the Opera: A Description of Twelve Operas and a Series of Personal by Mabel Wagnalls (1906)
"The curtain descends very slowly, and the last notes of the violin are written doubly pianissimo. The muse of Egyptian music glides away as silently as she ..."

4. Posthumous Memoirs of Karoline Bauer: From the German by Karoline Bauer (1884)
"... followed immediately by the sweetest, most charming pianissimo, all that was inconceivable or incomprehensible, and therefore also indescribable. ..."

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