Staccato is a form of musical articulation. In modern notation it signifies a note of shortened duration and separated from the note that may follow by silence. It has been described by theorists and appeared in music since the 18th century.
In 20th-century music, a dot placed above or below a note indicates that it should be played staccato, and a wedge is used for the more emphatic staccatissimo

Staccatissimo

In musical notation, staccatissimo indicates that the notes are to be played extremely separated and distinct, a superlative staccato. This can be notated with little pikes over or under the notes, depending on stem direction, as in this example from Bruckner's Symphony No...

.