Rallentando definition

rălən-tăndō, rällĕn-tändō

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Gradually slackening in tempo; ritardando. Used chiefly as a direction.

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A rallentando passage or movement.

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(musical direction) Gradually slowing.

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(music) Slackening; becoming slower (used as a musical direction).

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Origin of rallentando

Italian present participle of rallentare to slow down re- intensive pref. (from Latin re–) allentare to slow down (from Late Latin allentāre) (Latin ad- ad-) (Latin lentus slow)

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