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

: under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner

: very softly —used as a direction in music

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Italian sottovoce, literally, under the voice

First Known Use: 1737

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