andante

American  

[ahn-dahn-tey, an-dan-tee, ahn-dahn-te] / ɑnˈdɑn teɪ, ænˈdæn ti, ɑnˈdɑn tɛ /

adjective

1. moderately slow and even.

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noun

plural

andantes

1. an andante movement or piece.

andante British  

/ ænˈdænteɪ /

adjective

1. (to be performed) at a moderately slow tempo

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noun

1. a passage or piece to be performed in this manner

Etymology

Origin of andante

1735–45; < Italian: literally, walking, present participle of andare to walk, go ( -ant ); etymology disputed, but often alleged: < Vulgar Latin *ambitare, derivative of Latin ambitus circular motion, roundabout journey ( ambit ); perhaps, alternatively, early Latin borrowing < Gaulish *andā-, akin to Latin pandere to spread (hence, stride); compare passus step, pace (action noun *pand-tu- ), equivalent to Old Irish ēs footprint, track

Example Sentences

The third and fourth were a showcase of bustling internal mechanics — especially the andante con moto third, in which the violins seem eager to identify as woodwinds.

From Washington Post

Even so, “Mozart and Contemporaries” came off as an unbroken, unfurling, hypnotically broad, almost dreamlike silk of sound, inward-looking and wistful in both major and minor keys, in both andante and allegro.

From New York Times

Aaron Goldman’s flute and Lin Ma’s clarinet gave it a fresh polish, especially through its winding, entrancing andante.

From Washington Post

Sometimes the time signature was simple, sometimes compound, the tempo allegro or andante or presto.

From Nature

And in fact the movie is not very youthified: it unfolds at an andante pace and is about getting old.

From The Guardian