presto
[ pres-toh ]
/ ˈprɛs toʊ /
adverb
quickly, rapidly, or immediately.
at a rapid tempo (used as a musical direction).
adjective
quick or rapid.
executed at a rapid tempo (used as a musical direction).
noun, plural pres·tos.
Music. a movement or piece in quick tempo.
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“I do believe that the buck stops here, that I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right. I do believe that right makes might and that if I am wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
Origin of presto
1590–1600; <Italian: quick, quickly <Late Latin praestus (adj.) ready, Latin praestō (adv.) at hand
Words nearby presto
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for presto
British Dictionary definitions for presto
presto
/ (ˈprɛstəʊ) /
adjective, adverb
music to be played very fast
adverb
immediately, suddenly, or at once (esp in the phrase hey presto)
noun plural -tos
music a movement or passage directed to be played very quickly
Word Origin for presto
C16: from Italian: fast, from Late Latin praestus (adj) ready to hand, Latin praestō (adv) present
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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