First Known Use: 1737
Dictionary
sotto voce
adverb or adjective sot·to vo·ce \ˌsä-tō-ˈvō-chē\
: in a very quiet voice
music : very softly
Full Definition of SOTTO VOCE
1
: under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner
2
: very softly —used as a direction in music
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Origin of SOTTO VOCE
Italian sottovoce, literally, under the voice
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