English
fortepiano
Fortepiano comes from Italian fortepiano.
- Italianc. 1300–presentfortepiano
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Italianc. 1300–presentfortepiano
- Englishtodaysame form
A compound of forte ‘loud’ + piano ‘soft’
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- ‘to rise, high, hill’
Proto-Italic *forktis ‘strong, powerful’
Old Latin forctis
Latin fortis ‘strong, powerful’
Italian forte ‘loud’
Every English word from Italian fortepiano
Today it means
noun A keyboard instrument; the smaller, quieter precursor to the pianoforte.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Italian fortepiano / fortepiano