mezzo

See also: mezzo-

English

Etymology

Clipping of mezzo-soprano

Pronunciation

Noun

mezzo (plural mezzos)

  1. (music) mezzo-soprano
    • 1983, January 2, “John Rockwell”, in New Opera May Have a Future After All‎[The New York Times]:
      Emily Golden, a mezzo who was adept in an especially wide range of roles;

French

Etymology

Shortened form of Italian mezzosoprano.

Noun

mezzo f (plural mezzos)

  1. mezzo, mezzo-soprano

Italian

Etymology 1

From Latin medius, whence also Italian medio (a borrowed doublet).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmɛd.dzo/, [ˈmɛd̪͡z̪ːo]
  • Hyphenation: mèz‧zo

Noun

mezzo m (plural mezzi)

  1. half, middle
  2. means, method
  3. vehicle

Adjective

mezzo (feminine singular mezza, masculine plural mezzi, feminine plural mezze)

  1. half

Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Latin mītius (“milder”, comparative neuter singular of mītis (“mild”)).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmet.tso/, [ˈmet̪͡s̪ːo]
  • Hyphenation: méz‧zo

Adjective

mezzo (feminine singular mezza, masculine plural mezzi, feminine plural mezze)

  1. overripe (of fruit)
  2. drenched (soaking wet)
  3. soft, flabby

Anagrams

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