piano English · revision 6091
16 Oct 2026, 04:50 by bogdan “en10k b0237: triple … steady” current version
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+ Both English words spelled piano go back to Italian piano “soft”, but the instrument came through the shortening of [[pianoforte]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ {{homograph|1|softly}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1683|origins=la plānus}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: UK /ˈpjɑː.nəʊ/, /piˈɑː.nəʊ/, US /ˈpjɑː.noʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The musical direction is [[bor|it|piano|t=soft, softly]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from Late Latin [[m|la-lat|plānus|t=smooth, graceful]], from [[la|plānus|t=flat, level]] (see [[plain]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) from PIE [[ine-pro|*pelh₂-|t=flat; to spread]].^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Softly, in a low tone or voice, as a direction in music: 1683.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ As a noun, a soft or quiet passage, it is from 1730.^(OED 1989) The SOED notes that the Latin adjective came to mean “soft, low” of sound.^(SOED 2002) In Italian buildings a piano is also a floor or storey (1860), as in ''piano nobile''.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1683 – softly, as a direction.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1730 – a soft passage.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1860 – a floor of an Italian house.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Adverb===
+ # ''(music)'' Softly, quietly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ===Adjective===
+ # ''(music)'' Soft or quiet.^(SOED 2002)
+
+ ===Noun===
+ # ''(music)'' A passage to be played softly.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)
+
+ {{homograph|2|musical instrument}}
+
+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing, clipping|attested=1803|origins=it piano e forte}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: UK /piˈæn.əʊ/, /ˈpjæn.əʊ/, US /piˈæn.oʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ The instrument is [[bor|fr|piano]], or Italian [[m|it|piano]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) shortenings of [[pianoforte]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from Italian [[m|it|gravicembalo col piano e forte|t=harpsichord with soft and loud]], so called because, unlike the harpsichord, it can play softly and loudly.^(MWU 2024) See [[piano#1]] and [[forte]].^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The keyboard instrument with hammers striking strings: 1803.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, calls the pianoforte essentially a large [[dulcimer]] with a keyboard, which replaced the [[clavichord]] and [[harpsichord]].^(Etymonline) [[piano wire|alt=Piano wire]] is from 1831.^(Etymonline) [[pianist|alt=Pianist]] is from 1839, in Longfellow,^(Barnhart 1988) and piano-playing itself is called piano from 1946.^(OED 1989) In American slang a piano was also a spare rib (1911).^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1803 – the instrument.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1831 – piano wire.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1839 – pianist, in Longfellow.^(Barnhart 1988)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A large [[keyboard]] instrument in which keys work hammers that strike metal strings, with pedals to soften or sustain the sound.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # The art or skill of playing this instrument.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[pianist]]
+ * [[grand piano]]
+ * [[upright piano]]
+ * [[player piano]]
+ * [[piano accordion]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[mezzo piano]]
+ * [[pianissimo]]
+ * [[pianoforte]]
+ * [[forte]]
+ * [[plain]]
+ * [[plane]]
+ * [[plan]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}