I. ˈpres-(ˌ)tō interjection
Etymology: Italian, quick, quickly, from Latin praestus ready, from praesto adverb, on hand; akin to Latin prae before — more at for
Date: circa 1599
— used to indicate the sudden appearance or occurrence of something often as if by magic
II. adverb or adjective
Date: 1644
1. : suddenly as if by magic : immediately
2. : at a rapid tempo — used as a direction in music
III. noun
( plural prestos )
Date: 1801
: a presto musical passage or movement