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alto definition

alto (al′tō)

noun pl. altos -·tos

  1. the range of the lowest female voice or the highest male voice; specif.,
    1. contralto
    2. countertenor
    1. a voice or singer with such a range
    2. an instrument with a similar range within its family, as an alto saxophone
    3. a part for such a voice or instrument
  3. in four-part harmony, the second highest part

Etymology: It < L altus, high: see altitude

adjective

of, for, or having the range of an alto

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

alto Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • sing: I sing alto in a local choral society where we are currently learning Mozart's Requiem.

Noun used with modifier

  • solo: Paul McCreesh Bach Cantatas for solo alto - Harmonia Mundi - La Chapelle Royale, dir.

Adjective modifier

  • male: The BOGS has always been a completely adult band of singers with a male alto top line.

Modifies a noun

  • trombone: I have played alto trombone on a couple of things.
alto usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"alto." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/alto>

APA Style

alto. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/alto

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