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decrescendo

[ dee-kri-shen-doh, dey-; Italian de-kre-shen-daw ]

adjective

  1. gradually reducing force or loudness; diminuendo ( crescendo ).


noun

, plural de·cre·scen·dos, Italian de·cre·scen·di [de-k, r, e-, shen, -dee].
  1. a gradual reduction in force or loudness.
  2. a decrescendo passage.

decrescendo

/ ˌdiːkrɪˈʃɛndəʊ /

noun

  1. another word for diminuendo
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of decrescendo1

1800–10; < Italian, gerund of decrescere; decrease
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Word History and Origins

Origin of decrescendo1

Italian, from decrescere to decrease
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Example Sentences

When she had to sustain a note for a couple of bars, I was surprised at the beauty of her crescendo and decrescendo.

When she sustains her voice for a couple of bars, I am quite surprised at the beauty of her crescendo and decrescendo.

Decrescendo (or diminuendo) al pianissimo means—decrease gradually in power until the pianissimo (or very soft) point is reached.

He made a decrescendo tinkling, and his lofty features lapsed into their normal mournfulness.

A descending passage, as a return to tranquillity, requires a decrescendo.

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