/fer mah"teuh/ ; It. /ferdd mah"tah/ , n. , pl. fermatas , It. fermate /-te/ . Music.
1. the sustaining of a note, chord, or rest for a duration longer than the indicated time value, with the length of the extension at the performer's discretion.
2. a symbol placed over a note, chord, or rest indicating a fermata.
[ 1875-80; fermare to stop firmare to make firm. See FIRM 1 , -ATE 1 ]