sfumato

(sfo̵̅o̅ mä′tō)

noun

an effect, as in oil painting, of the tones shading into one another so there are no sharp outlines

See sfumato in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The blurring or softening of sharp outlines in painting by subtle and gradual blending of one tone into another.

Origin:

Origin: Italian

Origin: , from past participle of sfumare, to evaporate, fade out

Origin: : s-, from (from Latin ex-; see ex-)

Origin: + fumare, to smoke (from Latin fūmāre; see fumatory)

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