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Webster 1913 Edition


Contralto

Con-tral′to

(? or [GREEK])
,
Noun.
[It., fr.
contra
+
alto
. See
Alto
.]
(Mus.)
(a)
The part sung by the highest male or lowest female voices; the alto or counter tenor.
(b)
the voice or singer performing this part;
as, her voice is a
contralto
; she is a
contralto
.
☞ The usual range of the contralto voice is from G, below middle C, to the C above that; though exceptionally it embraces two octaves.

Con-tral′to

(? or [GREEK])
,
Adj.
(Mus.)
Of or pertaining to a contralto, or to the part in music called contralto;
as, a
contralto
voice
.

Definition 2024


contralto

contralto

English

Noun

contralto (plural contraltos or contralti)

  1. (music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.

Synonyms

Coordinate terms

Translations

Related terms


Italian

Etymology

contra- + alto.

Noun

contralto m (plural contralti)

  1. contralto (female)
  2. counter-tenor (male)

Derived terms


Portuguese

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -awtu

Noun

contralto m (plural contraltos)

  1. (music) contralto (voice between tenor and mezzo-soprano)
  2. (music) contralto (singer with this voice)