staccato Hear it!

staccato Definition

stac·cato (stə kät′ō)

adjective

  1. Musical Direction with distinct breaks between successive tones: usually indicated by a dot (staccato mark) placed over or under each note to be so produced
  2. made up of abrupt, distinct elements or sounds a staccato outburst of gunfire

Etymology: It, pp. of staccare, aphetic for distaccare, to detach < di(s)- (< L, dis-) + Frank *stakka: see stick

adverb

so as to be staccato; in a staccato manner

noun pl. -·tos

something, as a speech pattern, that is staccato

staccato Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • riff: I played chords and staccato riffs over the top.
  • rhythm: He's sitting there, unkempt, in front of an ancient typewriter into which two fingers punch a staccato rhythm.
  • burst: This is a mid paced song with slower sections of instrumentation followed by short staccato bursts of melody.
  • beat: The music is played with a staccato beat in keeping with the vigorous expressive movements of the dancers.
  • guitar: His first featured a soaring and diving vocal merged with staccato guitar and was played with much gusto.
  • style: I wrote the first chapters in the staccato style in which he then spoke.