toccata
[ tuh-kah-tuh; Italian tawk-kah-tah ]
/ təˈkɑ tə; Italian tɔkˈkɑ tɑ /
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noun, plural toc·ca·tas, toc·ca·te [tuh-kah-tee; Italian tawk-kah-te]. /təˈkɑ ti; Italian tɔkˈkɑ tɛ/. Music.
a composition in the style of an improvisation, for the piano, organ, or other keyboard instrument, intended to exhibit the player's technique.
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Origin of toccata
1715–25; <Italian: “touched,” feminine past participle of toccare touch
Words nearby toccata
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for toccata
British Dictionary definitions for toccata
toccata
/ (təˈkɑːtə) /
noun
a rapid keyboard composition for organ, harpsichord, etc, dating from the baroque period, usually in a rhythmically free style
Word Origin for toccata
C18: from Italian, literally: touched, from toccare to play (an instrument), touch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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