ostinato
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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.
[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.
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| 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 |
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