I. pi·a·no pēˈä(ˌ)nō, -ˈȧ(- adverb (or adjective)
Etymology: Italian, from Late Latin planus smooth, graceful
: softly , quietly — used as a direction in music; opposed to forte ; abbr. p
II. piano noun
( -s )
: a softly performed passage or tone (as in a voice or instrument)
III. pi·ano pēˈa(ˌ)nō, -_nə sometimes -ˈä(- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian, short for pianoforte, from piano e forte soft and strong, from piano soft (from Late Latin planus smooth, graceful, from Latin, even, level, flat) + e and (from Latin et ) + forte loud, strong (from Latin fortis strong); from the fact that its tones can be varied in loudness — more at floor , fort
1. : a stringed percussion instrument structurally derived from the dulcimer but historically from the clavichord and harpsichord and having steel wire strings stretched over a sounding board that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard and pedals that alter or modify the quantity and quality of sound produced — called also pianoforte ; see grand piano , upright piano
2. : a machine operated by a keyboard for perforating the cards for a jacquard apparatus