Contralto definition

kən-trăltō
contralti contraltos
See word origin
Frequency:
The lowest female voice or voice part, intermediate in range between soprano and tenor.
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A woman having a contralto voice.
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The range of a low female voice between mezzo-soprano and tenor, usually from about the first F below middle C to the second F above; alto.
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A voice or singer with such a range.
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A part for such a voice.
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Of, for, or having the range of a contralto.
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(music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
contralto
Plural:
contralti, contraltos

Origin of contralto

  • Italian contra- below (from Latin contrā- contra-) alto alto alto

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Contraction of contratenor alto, from Latin contratenor altus.

    From Wiktionary