andante

[ ahn-dahn-tey, an-dan-tee; Italian ahn-dahn-te ]

adjective

1. moderately slow and even.

noun

, plural an·dan·tes.

1. an andante movement or piece.

andante

/ ænˈdænteɪ /

adjective

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

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of andante¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of andante¹

C18: Italian: going, from andare to go, from Latin ambulāre to walk

Example Sentences

The andante is a little dry, but just on that account very characteristic—as reminiscent of the days of powder and patches.

From Project Gutenberg

You have made a transition from the frolicsome allegretto of the bachelor to the heavy andante of the father of a family.

From Project Gutenberg

The "Andante" played by Chopin was of course the middle movement of one of his concertos.

From Project Gutenberg

The Andante was therefore excluded and its place supplied by the interesting Introduction to the Rondo which it now has.

From Project Gutenberg

Themes for the Allegro, Andante and Scherzo are found in sketchbooks belonging, at the very latest, to the years 1800 and 1801.

From Project Gutenberg