VocabDictionary

stretto

/หˆstrษ›t.oสŠ/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A passage in a fugue in which the subject is imitated or overlapped by another voice before the first has finished, creating a sense of increased tension or urgency.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe composer builds immense tension in the final section of the fugue by introducing a complex stretto.โ€
  • โ€œThe stretto serves as the climax of the piece, forcing the musical themes to collide.โ€
2.adverb

A musical instruction to perform a passage in a faster, more urgent, or 'tightened' tempo.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe conductor signaled for the orchestra to play the coda stretto to heighten the dramatic effect.โ€
  • โ€œMarked 'stretto', the final measures of the sonata demand a sudden increase in pace.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œstrettoโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Italian 'stretto', the past participle of 'stringere', meaning 'to tighten' or 'to press'. In musical terminology, it evolved to describe the 'tightening' of the temporal space between entries of a subject in a fugue.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'stress' or 'strict'โ€”the music becomes tighter, faster, and more intense.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œstrettoโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œstrettoโ€ in English?

In English, stretto (noun) is defined as: โ€œA passage in a fugue in which the subject is imitated or overlapped by another voice before the first has finished, creating a sense of increased tension or urgency.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œstrettoโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe composer builds immense tension in the final section of the fugue by introducing a complex stretto.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œstrettoโ€?

Common synonyms include:tightening,acceleration,compression,urgency

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œstrettoโ€?

Derived from the Italian 'stretto', the past participle of 'stringere', meaning 'to tighten' or 'to press'. In musical terminology, it evolved to describe the 'tightening' of the temporal space between entries of a subject in a fugue.