piano

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“
Another good place for the piano is a sort of alcove, or small room opening from the large living or drawing-room, where the piano and a few chairs may be placed.

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Definitions (32)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun A musical instrument with a manual keyboard actuating hammers that strike wire strings, producing sounds that may be softened or sustained by means of pedals.
  2. adverb In a soft or quiet tone. Used chiefly as a direction.
  3. noun A passage to be played softly or quietly.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (24)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (50)

  • Her actual performance at the piano is as vibrant and affirming as the song itself, actually. —  American Wota 4.0
  • Technically, I'd say that the piano is even closer to a large web-instrument than the violin, especially since the percussion of the piano is actually hammers hitting strings. —  Anime Nano!
  • My opinion on this has always been that the piano is a difficult instrument to play compared to the guitar and (crucially) requires lessons to get any good at it. —  Word Magazine - Comments
  • For the two hours of a recital - alone on stage - the piano is a pianist's voice. —  Telegraph Blogs
  • Every single aspect of the piano is wonderful, including the tone that it produces, the melodious sound that it is known for, and even its grand appearance as the piano is the largest musical instrument that you can play, hands down.
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This word has been looked up 181 times.

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Etymologies (5)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. Italian, short for pianoforte; see pianoforte.
  2. Italian, from Late Latin plānus, smooth, graceful, from Latin, flat; see pelə-2 in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (3)

  1. = F. Spanish Portuguese piano, from Italian piano, soft, plane, from Latin planus, plane: see plane, plain.
  2. = D. G. Swedish Danish F. Spanish Portuguese piano, from Italian piano, short for pianoforte: see pianoforte.
  3. Italian piano, a plane, a floor, or story. See piano.
 

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/piˈɑnoʊ/
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