altissimo

See also: Altissimo, altíssimo, and Altíssimo

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

Italian alto

Italian -issimo

Italian altissimobor.

English altissimo

Borrowed from Italian altissimo.

Noun

altissimo (plural altissimos)

1. (music) The highest register of a woodwind instrument, or a specific note in this register
   • 2007 January 14, Ben Ratliff, “Michael Brecker Dies at 57; Prolific Jazz Saxophonist”, in New York Times‎^[1]:

     He could fold the full pitch range of the horn into a short solo, from altissimo to the lowest notes, and connect rarefied ideas to the rich, soulful phrasing of saxophonists like Junior Walker.

Derived terms

• in altissimo

See also

• altissimo on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Italian

Etymology

From alto +‎ -issimo.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alˈtis.si.mo/
• Rhymes: -issimo
• Hyphenation: al‧tìs‧si‧mo

Adjective

altissimo (feminine altissima, masculine plural altissimi, feminine plural altissime)

1. superlative degree of alto (“highest”)
   • c. 1226, Francis of Assisi, Cantico delle creature [Canticle of the Creatures]‎^[2], page 1; copied, (manuscript), c. mid 13^th century:

     Altıſſımu onnıpotente bonſıgnore. tue ſole lauꝺe la ꟑlorıa elhonore ⁊ onne beneꝺıctıone. (Umbria)

     [Altissimu onnipotente bon signore, tue so' le laude, la gloria, e l'onore ed onne benedizione.]

     Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessing.

Descendants

• → English: altissimo

Latin

Adjective

altissimō

1. dative/ablative masculine/neuter singular of altissimus