ritenuto

[ree-tuh-noo-toh, ree-te-noo-taw]

adverb

1. (of a passage in a musical score) immediately slower.

ritenuto

/ ˌrɪtəˈnuːtəʊ /

adjective

1. held back momentarily

2. another term for rallentando

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritenuto¹

1820–30; < Italian: literally, held back, past participle of ritenere; retain

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritenuto¹

C19: from Italian, from past participle of ritenere , from Latin retinēre to hold back

Example Sentences

A definitely slower tempo at once     più lento meno mosso ritenuto     3.

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