Staccato
WordNet
adjective
(1) (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
"Staccato applause"
"A staccato command"
"Staccato notes"
adverb
(2) Separating the notes; in music
"Play this staccato, please"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
Borrowed from staccato, past participle of staccare, meaning "to separate"
Noun
- An articulation marking directing that a note or passage of notes are to be played in an abruptly disconnected manner, with each note sounding for a very short duration, and a short break lasting until the sounding of the next note; as opposed to legato. Staccato is indicated by a dot directly above or below the notehead.
- A passage having this mark.
Adverb
- played in this style
- Now, play the same passage very staccato.
Verb
Adjective
- disjointed, disunited, separate
- loose (pages in a book)
- outdistanced