sostenente

noun

so·​ste·​nen·​te

¦sō-stə-¦nen-tē,

-(ˌ)tā

variants or sostinente

plural sostenentes or sostinentes

1

: a device on a piano for attaining a sostenuto effect

2

: sostinente pianoforte

Word History

Etymology

sostenente alteration of sostinente; sostinente short for sostinente pianoforte

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!