Amabile

/ɑːˈmɑːbɪleɪ/ adverb

Definition

In music, a direction to perform in a sweet, tender, and loving manner; with warmth and affection.

Etymology

From Italian 'amabile,' derived from Latin 'amabilis' (lovable), the same root as the English 'amiable.' It entered musical terminology in the Renaissance.

Kelly Says

Italian is the language of music—even English composers write 'amabile' instead of 'lovingly' because Italian has a musicality that English just can't match, so we borrowed the word entirely!

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