Pianoforte

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

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

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  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