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fermate

 - 2 dictionary results

fer⋅ma⋅ta

[fer-mah-tuh; It. fer-mah-tah]
–noun, plural -tas, Italian. -te [-te] . Music.
1. the sustaining of a note, chord, or rest for a duration longer than the indicated time value, with the length of the extension at the performer's discretion.
2. a symbol placed over a note, chord, or rest indicating a fermata.

Origin:
1875–80; < It: stop, pause, n. use of fem. of ptp. of fermare to stop < L firmāre to make firm. See firm 1 , -ate 1
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

fermata 
1876, musical term, from It., lit. "stop, pause," from fermare "to fasten, to stop," from fermo "strong, fastened," from L. firmus (see firm (adj.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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