I. forte ˈfȯrt; 2 is often ˈfȯr-ˌtā or fȯr-ˈtā or ˈfȯr-tē noun
Etymology: French fort, from fort, adjective, strong
Date: circa 1648
1. : the part of a sword or foil blade that is between the middle and the hilt and that is the strongest part of the blade
2. : one's strong point
Usage:
In forte we have a word derived from French that in its “strong point” sense has no entirely satisfactory pronunciation. Usage writers have denigrated ˈfȯr-ˌtā and ˈfȯr-tē because they reflect the influence of the Italian-derived 2 forte. Their recommended pronunciation ˈfȯrt, however, does not exactly reflect French either: the French would write the word le fort and would rhyme it with English for. So you can take your choice, knowing that someone somewhere will dislike whichever variant you choose. All are standard, however. In British English ˈfȯ-ˌtā and ˈfȯt predominate; ˈfȯr-ˌtā and fȯr-ˈtā are probably the most frequent pronunciations in American English.
II. for·te ˈfȯr-ˌtā, ˈfȯr-tē adverb or adjective
Etymology: Italian, from forte strong, from Latin fortis
Date: circa 1724
: loud — used as a direction in music
III. for·te ˈfȯr-ˌtā, ˈfȯr-tē noun
Date: 1759
: a tone or passage played forte