ostinato

os·ti·na·to

 (ŏs′tĭ-nä′tō)

n. pl. os·ti·na·tos

A short melody or pattern that is constantly repeated, usually in the same part at the same pitch.

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[Italian, from Latin obstinātus, stubborn, past participle of obstināre, to persist; see obstinate.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ostinato

(ˌɒstɪˈnɑːtəʊ)

n

(Classical Music)

a. a continuously reiterated musical phrase

b. (as modifier): an ostinato passage.

[Italian: from Latin obstinātus obstinate]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

os•ti•na•to

(ˌɒs tɪˈnɑ toʊ)

n., pl. -tos.

a musical pattern, as a melodic figure, repeated continuously throughout a composition.

[1875–80; < Italian: literally, obstinate < Latin obstinātus obstinate]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ostinato - a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition ground bass - a short melody in the bass that is constantly repeated musical phrase, phrase - a short musical passage riff - a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.