Sotto voce

//ˌsɑtoʊ ˈvoʊtʃi// adj, adv, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    In soft tones; quiet. not-comparable

    "Then a man called for her, and began to make coarse jokes. But Mr. Pappleworth nodded his head in the direction of the boy, and the talk went on sotto voce."

  2. 2
    Soft, instruments or voice. not-comparable
Adverb
  1. 1
    Quietly. not-comparable

    ""I am not your dear; I cannot lie down. Send me to school soon, Mrs. Reed, for I hate to live here." I will indeed send her to school soon," murmured Mrs. Reed sotto voce; and gathering up her work, she abruptly quitted the apartment."

  2. 2
    Sung or played softly, instruments or voice. not-comparable
Adverb
  1. 1
    in an undertone wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A direction in a score that a passage in a piece should be played softly, or sung in a low voice, when applied to vocal music.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Italian sottovoce (literally “under [the] voice”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Italian sottovoce (literally “under [the] voice”).

Etymology 3

Borrowed from Italian sottovoce (literally “under [the] voice”).

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