Reading Theme:
Piano: Definition, Types, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：piano (musical instrument) (Piano)
Piano
/pɪˈænoʊ/
n.
A big musical instrument with black and white keys that you press to make different notes.
piano (musical instrument)
➕
/pɪˈænoʊ (ˈmjuːzɪkəl ˈɪnstrəmənt)/
n.
A large musical instrument played by pressing black and white keys, producing sound by hammers striking strings.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Italian 'piano' meaning soft, ultimately from Latin 'planus' (flat).
💡 Mnemonic
Piano keys: press softly for soft notes; remember 'piano' means quiet in Italian.
📖 Example
There's an old piano in the corner of our living room, and it's always covered with family photos.
There's an old piano in the corner of our living room, and it's always covered with family photos.
🔗 Collocations
play the piano – To perform music using the piano.
piano lessons – Instruction sessions for learning to play the piano.
grand piano – A large, horizontal piano with the strings stretched away from the keyboard.
🔄 Synonyms
pianoforte (n.) – The full original name for the piano, emphasizing its dynamic range.
keyboard instrument (n.) – A broader category of instruments that includes the piano.
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Short for 'pianoforte', coined in 18th-century Italy to describe its dynamic range (soft to loud), revolutionizing music.
Meaning 2：piano (dynamic marking) (Piano)
Piano
/pɪˈænoʊ/
n.
In sheet music, it means to play softly or quietly.
piano (dynamic marking)
➕
/pɪˈænoʊ (daɪˈnæmɪk ˈmɑːrkɪŋ)/
n.
In musical notation, an instruction to play the passage softly, indicated by the letter 'p'.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The conductor reminded the guitarist that the next section should be played piano to create a more dreamy feeling.
The conductor reminded the guitarist that the next section should be played piano to create a more dreamy feeling.
🔗 Collocations
play piano – To perform a section of music softly.
piano marking – The symbol 'p' in sheet music indicating softness.
piano section – A passage in a musical piece marked to be played softly.
🔄 Synonyms
soft (adj.) – Referring to low volume in music.
pianissimo (n.) – A dynamic marking meaning very soft, softer than piano.
🚫 Antonyms
forte (n.) – A dynamic marking meaning loud.
🌱 Derivatives
pianissimo (n.) – The dynamic marking indicating very soft.
piano (adverb) (adv.) – In a soft manner, as directed in music.
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