senza

British  

/ ˈsɛntsɑː /

preposition

1. music without; omitting

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Etymology

Origin of senza

Italian

Explanation

Senza is used in sheet music, but it isn't an instruction all on its own: It's Italian for "without," and it must be combined with another word to show what it is you're supposed to play or sing without. Senza pedale, for example, is a fairly common instruction in piano music, meaning "without pedal." (This refers to the sustain pedal, which can be used to allow notes to blend together.) Other instructions using senza include senza sordino, "without the mute," for violinists or trumpeters, and senza tempo, literally "without tempo" — meaning that there is no strict tempo for the passage, and performers should feel free to adjust or vary the tempo and rhythm to express whatever they want to express.

Example Sentences

When Jen got to the front of the long line, she hesitantly mentioned she’d like a cup, not a cone, and asked if the apricot gelato was senza glutine.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2014

Signor Nitti has already writen one book on the war, Europa senza Pace-Peaceless Europe.

From Time Magazine Archive

He describes himself as an uomo senza lettere—an unlettered man.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

“Non puossi lasciar senza un cenno l’arca dove sta chiuso il doge; capo lavoro di pensiero e di esecuzione,” &c.

From The Stones of Venice, Volume I (of 3) by Ruskin, John

Figlio bianco e vermiglio, Figlio senza simiglio, Figlio, a chi m'apiglio, Figlio, pur m'hai lassato!

From Renaissance in Italy: Italian Literature Part 1 (of 2) by Symonds, John Addington