[ krɪ'ʃɛndəʊ ]
■ noun
1》 ( plural ~s or crescendi -di ) a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music.
2》 the loudest or climactic point.
■ adverb & adjective Music with a gradual increase in loudness.
■ verb ( ~es , ~ing , ~ed ) increase in loudness or intensity.
Origin
C18: Ital., pres. participle of crescere 'to increase'.