continuo

American  

[kuhn-tin-yoo-oh] / kənˈtɪn juˌoʊ /

noun

Music.

continuos plural

1. a keyboard accompanying part consisting originally of a figured bass, which in modern scores is usually realized, and serving to provide or fill out the harmonic texture.

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continuo British  

/ kənˈtɪnjʊˌəʊ /

noun

1. music

   1. a shortened form of basso continuo See thorough bass

   2. ( as modifier )

      a continuo accompaniment

2. the thorough-bass part as played on a keyboard instrument, often supported by a cello, bassoon, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• continuos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of continuo

1715–25; < Italian: literally, continuous

Example Sentences

Harpsichord and viola da gamba act as soloists as well as continuo; a modern lute song is a lullaby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Me encantaría ver más funciones como esta en otras aplicaciones de emisión en continuo.

From New York Times • Aug. 30, 2023

Por suerte, algunas empresas tecnológicas están empezando a incorporar sus propios potenciadores de diálogo en sus aplicaciones de emisión en continuo.

From New York Times • Aug. 30, 2023

Gracias a mi familia y a mi equipo Boomstick23 por su apoyo continuo.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2018

Fiunt aliquando prodigiosi, & longiores Solus Defectus, quales occisa Caesare Dictatore, & Antoniano Bello, totius Anni Pallore continuo.

From Hudibras by Butler, Samuel