rallentando

[ rah-luh n-tahn-doh; Italian rahl-len-tahn-daw ]
/ ˌrɑ lənˈtɑn doʊ; Italian ˌrɑl lɛnˈtɑn dɔ /

adjective

slackening; becoming slower (used as a musical direction).

Origin of rallentando

1805–15; < Italian, gerund of rallentare to slow down; see lento

Words nearby rallentando

rale, raleigh, raleigh, sir walter, ralik chain, rall., rallentando, ralliform, ralline, rally, rally around, rally round

Example sentences from the Web for rallentando

  • Teach yourself to make a rallentando evenly by watching the drops of water cease as you turn off a tap.

    Theodor Leschetizky |Annette Hullah

  • Evening has come; there is a twilight tinge to the music; it is "dolce," "expressione," and "rallentando."

    Stars of the Opera |Mabel Wagnalls

  • Or we can gradually increase or decrease our tempo, creating accelerando and rallentando effects.

    Irradiations; Sand and Spray |John Gould Fletcher

  • Such a rallentando effect is like the apparent pause in the rush of a river before it thunders over a precipice.

    Play-Making |William Archer

British Dictionary definitions for rallentando

rallentando
/ (ˌrælɛnˈtændəʊ) /

adjective, adverb

music becoming slower Abbreviation: rall Also: ritardando, ritenuto

Word Origin for rallentando

C19: Italian, from rallentare to slow down