sordino

[sawr-dee-noh, sawr-dee-naw]

noun

Music.

plural

sordini 

1. mute.

sordino

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordino¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordino¹

Italian: from sordo deaf, from Latin surdus

Example Sentences

When he wanted the pedal he wrote "senza sordini," which means without dampers, and to take them off he wrote "con sordini," meaning with dampers.

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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.

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The term senza sordini is also occasionally found in old editions, indicating that the damper pedal is to be depressed, while con sordini shows that it is to be released.

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

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It is announced by the horns con sordini, accompanied very softly by held notes in the strings, except viola, pizzicato in the celli, and tympani.

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