cantabile

Meanings

Noun

• A tempo mark directing that a passage is to be played in a lyrical manner
• A passage having this mark

Adverb

• Played in this style; singingly, lyrically

Adjective

• Describing a passage having this mark; singable, lyrical

Origin

• Borrowed from Italian cantabile ("singable, capable being sung"), derived from cantare. See also Latin cantabilis ("worthy to be sung").