Fermata Definition

fĕr-mätə
noun
The prolongation of a tone, chord, or rest beyond its indicated time value.
American Heritage
Webster's New World
The sign indicating this prolongation.
American Heritage

(music) The holding of a note or rest for longer than its usual duration; also the notation of such a prolongation, usually represented as a dot with a semi-circle above it, written above the prolonged note or rest.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Fermata

Noun

Singular:
fermata
Plural:
fermatas, fermate

Origin of Fermata

  • Italian from feminine past participle of fermare to stop from Latin firmāre to make firm from firmus firm dher- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Italian fermata, from fermare (“to stop”).

    From Wiktionary

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