piano: [19] Piano is short for pianoforte [18], a term borrowed from Italian which means literally ‘softloud’. It was a lexicalization of an epithet (piano e forte ‘soft and loud’) applied in the early 18th century to a new sort of harpsichord whose volume could be varied by the use of dampers. Italian piano itself is descended from Latin plānus ‘flat, even’, later ‘smooth’, source of English plain. It was introduced into English as a musical direction in the late 17th century. => plain, plane
piano (n.)
1803, from French piano (18c.), Italian piano, shortened forms of pianoforte (q.v.). As an adverb, "softly," in musical directions (superlative pianissimo), attested from 1680s. Piano wire attested from 1831.
实用例句
1. He started piano lessons at the age of 7.
他7岁开始上钢琴课。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The piano music mixes with the murmur of conversation.
钢琴的弹奏声混杂着低低的交谈声。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He won first prize at the Leeds Piano Competition.
他在利兹国际钢琴比赛中荣获一等奖。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Finally I spotted it, in a dark corner over by the piano.
最后我在钢琴旁的阴暗角落里发现了它。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Miss Blockey was at her best when she played the piano.
