| / English Dictionary |
PIANO
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
Synonyms:
forte-piano; piano; pianoforte
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("piano" is a kind of...):
keyboard instrument (a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard)
percussion instrument; percussive instrument (a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another)
stringed instrument (a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound)
Meronyms (parts of "piano"):
loud pedal; sustaining pedal (a pedal on a piano that lifts the dampers from the strings and so allows them to continue vibrating)
soundboard; sounding board ((music) resonator consisting of a thin board whose vibrations reinforce the sound of the instrument)
soft pedal (a pedal on a piano that moves the action closer to the strings and so soften the sound)
clavier; fingerboard; piano keyboard (a bank of keys on a musical instrument)
piano action (action consisting of a system of levers that move a felt hammer to strike the strings when a key is depressed)
keyboard (device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like)
fall-board; fallboard (the hinged protective covering that protects the keyboard of a piano when it is not being played)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "piano"):
grand; grand piano (a piano with the strings on a horizontal harp-shaped frame; usually supported by three legs)
mechanical piano; Pianola; player piano (a mechanically operated piano that uses a roll of perforated paper to activate the keys)
upright; upright piano (a piano with a vertical sounding board)
Derivation:
pianist (a person who plays the piano)
pianistic (skilled at or adapted for the piano)
pianistic (of or relating to the piano)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(music) low loudness
Synonyms:
pianissimo; piano
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("piano" is a kind of...):
softness (a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency)
Domain category:
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(used chiefly as a direction or description in music) soft; in a quiet, subdued tone
Example:
the piano passages in the composition
Synonyms:
piano; soft
Classified under:
Similar:
pianissimo; pianissimo assai ((chiefly a direction or description in music) very soft)
Antonym:
forte ((used chiefly as a direction or description in music) loud; with force)
III. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
Synonyms:
piano; softly
Classified under:
Antonym:
forte (used as a direction in music; to be played relatively loudly)
Pertainym:
piano ((used chiefly as a direction or description in music) soft; in a quiet, subdued tone)
Context examples:
The effect of his discourse on the lady too, could not escape her observation, for though she was too honorable to listen, and had even changed her seat, on purpose that she might NOT hear, to one close by the piano forte on which Marianne was playing, she could not keep herself from seeing that Elinor changed colour, attended with agitation, and was too intent on what he said to pursue her employment.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Finally, the conversation turned to music—I am not sure that my uncle did not artfully bring it there, and the Prince, hearing from him of my tastes, would have it that I should then and there sit down at the wonderful little piano, all inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which stood in the corner, and play him the accompaniment to his song.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
So Beth tried it, and everyone pronounced it the most remarkable piano ever heard.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
All the time that Agnes sang and played, the mother sat at the piano.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Miss Ingram, who had now seated herself with proud grace at the piano, spreading out her snowy robes in queenly amplitude, commenced a brilliant prelude; talking meantime.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
The books on her father's shelves, the paintings on the walls, the music on the piano—all was just so much meretricious display.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Just think, he's given you her piano.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
There he sat, taking his wine, and taking a good deal of it, for two hours; while Agnes played on the piano, worked, and talked to him and me.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I closed the piano and returned.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Between a grand piano and a centre-table piled high with books was space for a half a dozen to walk abreast, yet he essayed it with trepidation.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
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