secco

[ sek-oh; Italian sek-kaw ]

/ ˈsɛk oʊ; Italian ˈsɛk kɔ /

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noun

fresco secco.

adjective

(of notes or passages in a musical score) played and released abruptly and without resonance.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of secco

1850–55; <Italian: dry; see sack³

Words nearby secco

secateurs, Secaucus, Secchi, Secchi depth, Secchi disk, secco, secede, secern, secession, secessionist, sech

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use secco in a sentence

In reply to your correspondent, I believe sack to be nothing but vino secco, dry wine, probably identical with sherry or madeira.
Notes and Queries, Number 236, May 6, 1854|Various
Unfortunately, he is too much given to sacrifice the transparency and depth of his colour by a lavish use of retouching secco.
Pintoricchio|Evelyn March Phillipps
"Xualla" is placed to the west of and near the headwaters of the "Secco" or Savannah River.
The Cherokee Nation of Indians. (1887 N 05 / 1883-1884 (pages 121-378))|Charles C. Royce
The recitativo secco was accompanied by the harpsichord, at which the composer himself presided.
The Opera|R.A. Streatfeild

In fresco painting no vehicle was used but water; in secco painting a tempera was used composed of white and yolk of egg.
Giotto|Harry Quilter

British Dictionary definitions for secco

secco

/ (ˈsɛkəʊ) /

noun plural -cos

wall painting done on dried plaster with tempera or pigments ground in limewaterCompare fresco

any wall painting other than true fresco

Word Origin for secco

C19: from Italian: dry, from Latin siccus

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