pianoforte

3 definitions found

pianoforte - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

pianoforte - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  pianoforte
      n 1: a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys
           that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce
           sounds [syn: piano, pianoforte, forte-piano]

pianoforte - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  38 Moby Thesaurus words for "pianoforte":
     Klavier, Steinway, baby grand, cembalo, clarichord, clavicembalo,
     clavichord, clavicittern, clavicymbal, clavicytherium, clavier,
     concert grand, cottage piano, couched harp, dulcimer harpsichord,
     grand, grand piano, hammer dulcimer, harmonichord, harpsichord,
     manichord, manichordon, melodion, melopiano, monochord,
     pair of virginals, parlor grand, pianette, pianino, piano,
     piano-violin, sostinente pianoforte, spinet, square piano, upright,
     upright piano, violin piano, virginal