Piano
WordNet
adjective
(1) Used chiefly as a direction or description in music
"The piano passages in the composition"
adverb
(2) Used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
noun
(3) A stringed instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
(4) (music) low loudness
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Short form of pianoforte, from + . So named because older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord and the clavier, could not produce varied volumes.
Noun
- A keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings.
Usage notes
Piano is now the usual term for the musical instrument. Pianoforte is old-fashioned.
See also
Adjective
piano
- Soft. Used as a dynamic directive in sheet music in its abbreviated form, {p.}, to indicate lowering the volume of the music. In the pianoforte this is done by pressing the instrument's keys more lightly.