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presto

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
pres·to  (prst)
adv.
1. Music In a very fast tempo, usually considered to be faster than allegro but slower than prestissimo. Used chiefly as a direction.
2. So suddenly that magic seems involved; right away.
n. pl. pres·tos Music
A passage or movement that is performed presto.

[Italian, from Late Latin praestus, quick, from Latin praest, at hand; see ghes- in Indo-European roots.]

presto adj.

presto [ˈprɛstəʊ]
adj & adv
(Music, other) Music to be played very fast
adv
immediately, suddenly, or at once (esp in the phrase hey presto)
n pl -tos
(Music, other) Music a movement or passage directed to be played very quickly
[from Italian: fast, from Late Latin praestus (adj) ready to hand, Latin praestō (adv) present]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.presto - (of tempo) very fast
fast - at a rapid tempo; "the band played a fast fox trot"
Adv.1.presto - suddenly; "Presto! begone! 'tis here again"- Swift
2.presto - at a very fast tempo (faster than allegro)
music - an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
Translations
presto [ˈprestəʊ] ADV hey presto!¡abracadabra!


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
His head would lower out of the entanglement of the woman's hair; his feet would begin making restless, spasmodic movements as if running; and Presto, in a flash, he would be out and away, across the face of time, out of reality and into the dream, himself running in the midst of those shadowy forms in the hunting fellowship of the pack.
We were getting tired of its ill-humour and talked of leaving it, when it suddenly grew sweet-tempered again, swooped around a curve--and presto, we were in fairyland.
When my arm went out to her to girdle her, presto, she was not there.
 
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