sotto voce
The term "sotto voce" is an Italian phrase meaning "under the voice," used to indicate soft, subdued tones in both music and speech.
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Definition
B2Music
(technical)A direction to perform a passage softly or in a hushed manner.
Example
- The score indicated that the section should be played sotto voce, creating a delicate, intimate sound.
B2Speech
(general)Spoken in a quiet, low voice, often to convey secrecy or confidentiality.
Example
- She leaned in and spoke sotto voce, ensuring no one else could hear their conversation.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sotto voce":
sub rosain pettostage whisperviva vocesoftly softlymezzo pianoon the down-lowinner voice