n.
Pronunciation: st ə - ' kä-( ˌ )t ō
Function: adjective
Etymology: Italian, from past participle of staccare to detach, from s- ex- (fr. Latin ex- ) + at taccare to attack, attach, perhaps from Old French estachier ― more at ATTACH
Date: circa 1724
1 a : cut short or apart in performing : DISCONNECTED < staccato notes> b : marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords <a staccato style>
2 : ABRUPT , DISJOINTED < staccato screams>
– staccato adverb
– staccato noun