gruppetto

/ ɡrʊˈpɛtəʊ /

noun

1. music a turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of gruppetto¹

C19: from Italian, diminutive of gruppo a group, a turn

Example Sentences

GRUPPETTO: “Small Group” — An Italian word describing the group of cyclists dropped by the main pack riding together at the back of the race.

From Seattle Times

He is in a gruppetto 30 minutes behind the leaders, and concern is growing about the time cut – riders must finish within a certain percentage of the winner’s time.

From The Guardian

“If someone is 10 meters from the gruppetto suffering a bit and you give him a bidon to keep him there,” Guercilena added, referring to the group of stragglers on a mountain stage, “I don’t think it’s changing the general value of the race.”

From Wall Street Journal

Inside the gruppetto, there tends to be great camaraderie.

From Wall Street Journal

So non-grimpeurs happily fall off the back into a smaller bunch known as the “gruppetto”.

From Wall Street Journal