passagework

[ pas-ij-wurk ]

/ ˈpæs ɪdʒˌwɜrk /

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noun Music.

writing that is often extraneous to the thematic material of a work and is typically of a virtuosic or decorative character: passagework consisting of scales, arpeggios, trills, and double octaves.

the performance of such writing: The pianist's passagework is brilliantly clear and smooth.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of passagework

First recorded in 1860–65; passage¹ + work

Words nearby passagework

passado, passage, passage grave, passage hawk, passageway, passagework, Passaic, passalong, Passamaquoddy, Passamaquoddy Bay, passament

British Dictionary definitions for passagework

passage work

noun

music scales, runs, etc, in a piece of music which have no structural significance but provide an opportunity for virtuoso display

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012