pizzicato

American  

[pit-si-kah-toh, peet-tsee-kah-taw] / ˌpɪt sɪˈkɑ toʊ, ˌpit tsiˈkɑ tɔ /

adjective

1. played by plucking the strings with the finger instead of using the bow, as on a violin.

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noun

plural

pizzicati

1. a note or passage so played.

pizzicato British  

/ ˌpɪtsɪˈkɑːtəʊ /

adjective

1. (in music for the violin family) to be plucked with the finger

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noun

1. the style or technique of playing a normally bowed stringed instrument in this manner

Etymology

Origin of pizzicato

1835–45; < Italian, past participle of pizzicare to pluck, pick, twang (a stringed instrument)

Example Sentences

Pizzicato strings and a classic doo-wop chord progression signal retro restraint, though they’re punctuated by sampled shouts.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022

Pizzicato strings mirrored the whimsicality of the Sorting Hat sequence, low woodwinds interacted playfully at the hatching of a baby dragon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2016

It may well have been recorded first in Japanese, Pizzicato Five's native tongue, but it was released in the UK after the English version, so it fits the rubric.

From The Guardian • Mar. 10, 2011

Pizzicato strings and electro synthesizers, house beats and new wave rock, electric pianos and phantom choirs, carnival rhythms and reverbed spaghetti-Western guitar all cruised by with smiley efficiency: a suave, unchallenging pleasure.

From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2010

Ballet Pizzicato" from "Sylvia": "We greet you, we greet you, On this Christmas Eve so fine.

From Love Conquers All by Williams, Gluyas