[stac.ca.to] adj [It, fr. pp. of staccare to detach, fr. s- ex- (fr. L ex-) + attaccare to attack, attach, perh. fr. OF estachier--more at attach] (ca. 1724) 1 a: cut short or apart in performing: disconnected "~ notes" b: marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords "a ~ style"
2: abrupt, disjointed -- staccato adv -- staccato n