subito

[soo-bi-toh; Italian soo-bee-taw] /ˈsu bɪˌtoʊ; Italian ˈsu bi tɔ/

adverb

(as a musical direction) suddenly; abruptly:

subito pianissimo.

Origin

1715-25; < Italian < Latin subitō orig., ablative singular neuter of subitus sudden, equivalent to sub- sub- + -i- (base of īre to go) + -tus past participle suffix

British Dictionary definitions for subito

subito

/ˈsuːbɪˌtəʊ/

adverb

(music) (preceding or following a dynamic marking, etc) suddenly; immediately sub

Word Origin

C18: via Italian from Latin: suddenly, from subitus sudden, from subīre to approach, from sub- (indicating stealth) + īre to go