piano

Meanings

Noun

• a percussive keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black colored keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings

Verb

• To play the piano.
• To move (the fingers) up and down on, similar to the motions of a pianist playing the piano.
• To equip with a piano.
• To become softer and less intense.

Adverb

• softly, as a musical direction (abbreviated to p. in sheet music)

Adjective

• soft, quiet
• in extended use; quiet, subdued

Origin

• Short form of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano + forte. So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. llano, plain, and plane.
• From Italian piano.