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adagio

 - 2 dictionary results

a⋅da⋅gio

  [uh-dah-joh, -zhee-oh; It. ah-dah-jaw] adverb, adjective, noun, plural -gios.
Use adagio in a Sentence
–adverb
1. Music. in a leisurely manner; slowly.
–adjective
2. Music. slow.
–noun
3. Music. an adagio movement or piece.
4. Dance.
a. a sequence of well-controlled, graceful movements performed as a display of skill.
b. a duet by a man and a woman or mixed trio emphasizing difficult technical feats.
c. (esp. in ballet) a love-duet sequence in a pas de deux.
Origin:
1740–50; < It, for ad agio at ease; agio < OPr ais or OF aise (see ease )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To adagio
a·da·gio   (ə-dä'jō, -jē-ō', -zhō, -zhē-ō)   
adv.   & adj. Music
In a slow tempo, usually considered to be slower than andante but faster than larghetto. Used chiefly as a direction.
n.   pl. a·da·gios

  1. Music A slow passage, movement, or work, especially one using adagio as the direction.

  2. A section of a pas de deux in which the ballerina and her partner perform steps requiring lyricism and great skill in lifting, balancing, and turning.


[Italian : ad-, at (from Latin; see ad-) + agio, ease (from Old Provençal aize; akin to Old French aise; see ease).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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