First Known Use: 1794
Dictionary
1obbligato
adjective ob·bli·ga·to \ˌä-blə-ˈgä-(ˌ)tō\
Definition of OBBLIGATO
: not to be omitted : obligatory —used as a direction in music — compare ad libitum
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Origin of OBBLIGATO
Italian, obligatory, from past participle of obbligare to oblige, from Latin obligare — more at oblige
2obbligato
noun
plural obbligatos also obbligati \-ˈgä-tē\
Definition of OBBLIGATO
1
: an elaborate especially melodic part accompanying a solo or principal melody and usually played by a single instrument <a song with violin obbligato>
2
: accompaniment 2b; especially : an attendant background sound
First Known Use of OBBLIGATO
1839
Related to OBBLIGATO
- Synonyms
- attendant, companion, concomitant, corollary, incident, accompaniment
Other Music Terms
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