Fermata meaning

fĕr-mätə
The prolongation of a tone, chord, or rest beyond its indicated time value.
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The sign indicating this prolongation.
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(music) The holding of a note or rest for longer than its usual duration; also the notation of such a prolongation, usually represented as a dot with a semi-circle above it, written above the prolonged note or rest.
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Origin of fermata

  • Italian from feminine past participle of fermare to stop from Latin firmāre to make firm from firmus firm dher- in Indo-European roots

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

  • From Italian fermata, from fermare (“to stop”).

    From Wiktionary