4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Piano  \Pi*a"no\,  a.  &  adv  [It.,  even  smooth,  soft,  fr  L. 
  planus  even  level.]  (Mus.) 
  Soft;  --  a  direction  to  the  performer  to  execute  a  certain 
  passage  softly,  and  with  diminished  volume  of  tone.  (Abbrev. 
  p.) 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Piano  \Pi*an"o\,  Pianoforte  \Pi*an"o*for`te\,  n.  [It.  piano  soft 
  (fr.  L.  planus  even  smooth;  see  {Plain},  a.)  +  It  forte 
  strong,  fr  L.  fortis  (see  {Fort}).]  (Mus.) 
  A  well-known  musical  instrument  somewhat  resembling  the 
  harpsichord,  and  consisting  of  a  series  of  wires  of  graduated 
  length,  thickness,  and  tension,  struck  by  hammers  moved  by 
  keys. 
 
  {Dumb  piano}.  See  {Digitorium}. 
 
  {Grand  piano}.  See  under  {Grand}. 
 
  {Square  piano},  one  with  a  horizontal  frame  and  an  oblong 
  case. 
 
  {Upright  piano},  one  with  an  upright  frame  and  vertical 
  wires. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  piano 
  adj  :  used  chiefly  as  a  direction  or  description  in  music;  "the 
  piano  passages  in  the  composition"  [syn:  {soft}]  [ant: 
  {forte}] 
  n  1:  a  stringed  instrument  that  is  played  by  depressing  keys  that 
  cause  hammers  to  strike  tuned  strings  and  produce  sounds 
  [syn:  {pianoforte},  {forte-piano}] 
  2:  (music)  low  loudness  [syn:  {pianissimo}] 
  adv  :  used  as  a  direction  in  music;  to  be  played  relatively  softly 
  [syn:  {softly}]  [ant:  {forte}] 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  PIANO,  n.  A  parlor  utensil  for  subduing  the  impenitent  visitor.  It 
  is  operated  by  pressing  the  keys  of  the  machine  and  the  spirits  of  the 
  audience. 
 
 

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