buffo
[
boo
-foh;
Italian
boof
-faw]
/ˈbu foʊ;
Italian
ˈbuf fɔ/
noun
,
plural
buffi
[
boo
-fee;
Italian
boof
-fee]
/ˈbu fi;
Italian
ˈbuf fi/
(
Show IPA
),
buffos.
Music.
1.
(in opera) a comedy part, usually bass.
2.
a male opera singer who specializes in comic roles.
Origin
1755-65;
<
Italian:
ridiculous, comic actor who takes comic parts; back formation from
buffone
buffoon
British Dictionary definitions for
buffo
buffo
/
ˈbʊfəʊ;
Italian
ˈbuffo
/
noun
(
pl
)
-fi
(
-fɪ
),
-fos
1.
(in Italian opera of the 18th century) a comic part, esp one for a bass
2.
Also called
buffo bass,
basso buffo
(
Italian
) (
ˈbasso ˈbuffo
). a bass singer who performs such a part
Word Origin
C18: from Italian (adj): comic, from
buffo
(n)
buffoon