pianoforte

piano

noun pyah-noh-FOR-teh Rare

Origin: Coined by Italian instrument-maker Bartolomeo Cristofori c. 1700, from piano (soft) + forte (loud), describing its dynamic range.

Usage Note

Pianoforte is the full Italian name for the instrument commonly called piano in English and colloquially piano in Italian too. In formal musical contexts, pianoforte is preferred. The instrument was invented in Italy, so the word is purely Italian in origin, unlike most musical loanwords.

Examples

"Studia pianoforte al conservatorio da cinque anni."

Natural Translation

She has been studying piano at the conservatory for five years.

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