rubato Hear it!

rubato definition

ru·bato (ro̵̅o̅ bät′ō)

adjective, adverb

with some notes arbitrarily lengthened (or shortened) in performance and, often, others correspondingly changed in length; (in a manner) intentionally and temporarily deviating from a strict tempo: also used as a musical direction

Etymology: It < (tempo) rubato, stolen (time)

noun

  1. rubato modification or execution
  2. pl. rubatos -·tos a rubato passage, phrase, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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