Accrescendo

/ˌɑːkrəˈʃɛndoʊ/ noun

Definition

A musical direction indicating a gradual increase in volume and intensity; a crescendo.

Etymology

From Italian 'accrescendo', derived from the Latin 'accrescere' (to grow), combined with the Italian musical suffix '-endo' to create a musical instruction indicating crescendoing sound.

Kelly Says

This is Italian borrowed into music's universal language, and it's essentially a fancy way of saying 'get louder'—but composers and musicians preferred the Italian version because it felt more elegant and authoritative.

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