sotto voce

[sot-oh voh-chee; Italian sawt-taw vaw-che] /ˈsɒt oʊ ˈvoʊ tʃi; Italian ˈsɔt tɔ ˈvɔ tʃɛ/

Word Origin

noun

in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.

Origin

1730-1740

1730-40; < Italian: literally, under (the) voice

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2015.
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British Dictionary definitions for sotto voce

sotto voce

/ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ/

adverb

in an undertone

Word Origin

C18: from Italian: under (one's) voice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sotto voce

1737, Italian, literally "under voice," from sotto, from Latin subtus "below" (cf. French sous; see sub-) + voce, from Latin vocem (nominative vox); see voice (n.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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