ritardando

[ ree-tahr-dahn-doh; Italian ree-tahr-dahn-daw ]
/ ˌri tɑrˈdɑn doʊ; Italian ˌri tɑrˈdɑn dɔ /

adjective, adverb Music.

becoming gradually slower.

Origin of ritardando

1805–15; < Italian, gerund of ritardare; see retard

British Dictionary definitions for ritardando

ritardando
/ (ˌrɪtɑːˈdændəʊ) /

adjective, adverb

another term for rallentando Abbreviation: rit

Word Origin for ritardando

C19: from Italian, from ritardare to slow down