Legato
WordNet
adjective
(1) (music) without breaks between notes; smooth and connected
"A legato passage"
adverb
(2) Connecting the notes; in music
"Play this legato, please"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian legato, past participle of legare, meaning "to tie", "to tie up", "to tie together", or "to bind", learned borrowing from Latin ligare.
Adverb
- Smoothly, in a connected manner.
- Play this passage legato not portato.
Noun
legato
- A slur curve above or below a passage of notes indicating that they should be played in a legato manner.