fortepiano

noun for·te·pia·no \ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō also -ˈä-(ˌ)nō\

Definition of FORTEPIANO

: an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano

French or Italian; French, from Italian, from forte loud + piano soft

First Known Use: 1771

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