sordino

American  

[sawr-dee-noh, sawr-dee-naw] / sɔrˈdi noʊ, sɔrˈdi nɔ /

noun

Music.

plural

sordini

1. mute.

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sordino British  

/ sɔːˈdiːnəʊ /

noun

1. a mute for a stringed or brass musical instrument

2. any of the dampers that arrest the vibrations of piano strings

3. a musical direction to play with a mute

4. a musical direction to remove or play without the mute or (on the piano) with the sustaining pedal pressed down

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Etymology

Origin of sordino

1795–1805; < Italian: a mute, equivalent to sordo (< Latin surdus deaf ) + -ino -ine ¹

Example Sentences

He was using a sordino and playing it very softly; but I was not mistaken.

From The Lost Stradivarius by Falkner, John Meade

Con sordino and pizzicato passages occur as often for the cello as for the violin.

From Music Notation and Terminology by Gehrkens, Karl Wilson

This reminiscence probably influenced his fancy also in another direction; for it seemed to him that very faintly, as though played far off, and with the sordino, he could hear the air of the Gagliarda.

From The Lost Stradivarius by Falkner, John Meade

Another modification of tone is caused by placing a tiny instrument called a sordino, or mute, upon the bridge.

From How to Listen to Music, 7th ed. Hints and Suggestions to Untaught Lovers of the Art by Krehbiel, Henry Edward

As they reached his ears through the heavy stone roof they were more harmonious, all harshness was softened; the sordino of the vaulting produced the effect of a muffled peal.

From The Nebuly Coat by Falkner, John Meade