ottava

[oh-tah-vuh, awt-tah-vah]

adverb

Music.

1. (of notes in a score) at an octave higher than written (when placed above the staff ) or lower than written (when placed below the staff ). 8va

ottava

/ əʊˈtɑːvə /

noun

1. an interval of an octave See all'ottava

Word History and Origins

Origin of ottava¹

1810–20; < Italian: octave

Word History and Origins

Origin of ottava¹

Italian: _octave

Example Sentences

Although an occasional narrative experiment might disrupt the format, what makes “Law & Order” special is precisely the fact that it has one, like a sonnet, a sestina, or an ottava rima.

From Los Angeles Times

The First Four Books of the Civil Wars, an historical poem in ottava rima, appeared in 1595.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether it was on this occasion is not known, but about this time, and at the recommendation of his brother-in-law, Giovanni Florio, he was taken into favour at court, and wrote a Panegyric Congratulatorie offered to the King at Burleigh Harrington in Rutlandshire, in ottava rima.

From Project Gutenberg

It is written in alexandrines, arranged in ottava rima.

From Project Gutenberg

It is addressed to Fulke Greville, and written, with much sententious melody, in a sort of terza rima, or, more properly, ottava rima with the couplet omitted.

From Project Gutenberg