decrescendo
[dee-kri-
shen
-doh, dey-;
Italian
de-k
r
e-
shen
-daw]
/ˌdi krɪˈʃɛn doʊ, ˌdeɪ-;
Italian
ˌdɛ krɛˈʃɛn dɔ/
adjective, adverb
1.
gradually reducing force or loudness; diminuendo (opposed to
crescendo
).
noun
,
plural
decrescendos
Italian,
decrescendi
[de-k
r
e-
shen
-dee]
/ˌdɛ krɛˈʃɛn di/
(
Show IPA
)
2.
a gradual reduction in force or loudness.
3.
a decrescendo passage.
Origin
1800-10;
<
Italian,
gerund of
decrescere;
see
decrease
Examples from the web for
decrescendo
The dynamic level of the ensuing measure is then changed from piano
decrescendo
to forte.
British Dictionary definitions for
decrescendo
decrescendo
/
ˌdiːkrɪˈʃɛndəʊ
/
noun, adjective
1.
another word for
diminuendo
Word Origin
Italian, from
decrescere
to
decrease
Word Origin and History for
decrescendo
n.
1806, from Italian
decrescendo
, from Latin
decrescere
(see
decrease
(v.)).