rubato

[ roo-bah-toh; Italian roo-bah-taw ]

adjective

1. having certain notes arbitrarily lengthened while others are correspondingly shortened, or vice versa.

noun

, plural ru·ba·tos, ru·ba·ti [roo-, bah, -tee, r, oo-, bah, -tee].

1. a rubato phrase or passage.
2. a rubato performance.

adverb

1. in a rubato manner.

rubato

/ ruːˈbɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. flexibility of tempo in performance

adjective

1. to be played with a flexible tempo

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubato¹

1880–85; < Italian ( tempo ) rubato stolen (time), past participle of rubare to steal < Germanic; rob

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubato¹

C19: from the Italian phrase tempo rubato , literally: stolen time, from rubare to rob

Example Sentences

Let us try if it is not possible to obtain a clearer notion of this mysterious tempo rubato.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all, however, we have to keep in mind that the tempo rubato is a genus which comprehends numerous species.

From Project Gutenberg

One seems to see the expression marks: piano, pianissimo, largamente, and just where the tempo rubato comes in.

From Project Gutenberg

His delicate pianissimo, the ever-changing modifications of tone and time (tempo rubato) were of indescribable effect.

From Project Gutenberg

The player was afterward highly extolled on account of his wonderful rubato effects.

From Project Gutenberg