ostinato

[ os-ti-nah-toh; Italian aws-tee-nah-taw ]

noun

, Music.

, plural os·ti·na·tos.

1. a constantly recurring melodic fragment.

ostinato

/ ˌɒstɪˈnɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. 1. a continuously reiterated musical phrase
   2. ( as modifier )

      an ostinato passage

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostinato¹

1875–80; < Italian: literally, obstinate < Latin obstinātus obstinate

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostinato¹

Italian: from Latin obstinātus obstinate

Example Sentences

In my opinion, your Basso ostinato should be written in 3/4 or 6/4 time, but not in 5/4.

From Project Gutenberg

It is generally accompanied by doubles or variations, and is invariably written on a ground bass or basso ostinato.

From Project Gutenberg

A constantly repeated bass is called a "basso ostinato," and this is the first example of it.

From Project Gutenberg

You have made just such a mistake in your otherwise beautiful Basso ostinato.

From Project Gutenberg