leggiero

American  

[le-jer-oh] / ˌlɛˈdʒɛr oʊ /

adjective

1. light and delicate.

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adverb

1. with a light, delicate touch.

noun

1. a passage to be played with a light, delicate touch, or an instance of this way of playing.

Etymology

Origin of leggiero

First recorded in 1840–45; from Italian, obsolete spelling of leggero “light, delicate”; cf. legerity ( def. )

Example Sentences

The pianist's sonorities reached deep into the keys without turning hard or clattery, while the evenness of his leggiero playing was a joy to the ear.

From Chicago Tribune • Feb. 18, 2011

It is a sort of soprano leggiero with a small range of superficial feelings.

From How to Listen to Music, 7th ed. Hints and Suggestions to Untaught Lovers of the Art by Krehbiel, Henry Edward

Debbo aggiungere che in questo stato il suo corpo � cos� leggiero che la poteva sollevare da terra per un solo dei suoi capelli, come se non avesse pi� nessun peso.

From Story of My Life, volumes 1-3 by Hare, Augustus J. C.

In questo Architetto si vide qualche leggiero barlume di buona Architettura, come di Pittura in Cimabue suo contemporaneo.

From Renaissance in Italy Volume 3 The Fine Arts by Symonds, John Addington

E quanto mi parea nell' atto acerbo, Con l' ali aperte e sovre i piè leggiero!

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 57, No. 351, January 1845 by Various