stretto

[ stret-oh ]

noun

, Music.

, plural stret·ti [stret, -ee], stret·tos.

1. the close overlapping of statements of the subject in a fugue, each voice entering immediately after the preceding one.

stretto

/ ˈstrɛtəʊ /

noun

1. (in a fugue) the close overlapping of two parts or voices, the second one entering before the first has completed its statement of the subject
2. Also calledstrettaˈstrɛtə a concluding passage in a composition, played at a faster speed than the earlier material

Word History and Origins

Origin of stretto¹

1745–55; < Italian: literally, narrow < Latin strictus. See strict, strait

Word History and Origins

Origin of stretto¹

C17: from Italian, from Latin strictus tightly bound; see strict

Example Sentences

A sandwich shop called E Stretto is now serving Italian-influenced sandwiches in the front area of Bar Clacson in Downtown.

From Los Angeles Times

Gerzmava’s muscular vibrato in Verdi’s “Stretto” gave way to fluid, tender singing in “Ecco … lo son l’umile ancella,” from Francesco Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.”

From Washington Post

Italy's parliament in December froze a 3.9-billion euro contract to build a road and rail bridge connecting Sicily to Italy's mainland, known as Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina.

From Reuters

Tenendo poi la Santità Sua per indubitato, che la sperimentata fedeltà di quel Clero Cattolico Romano al legittimo suo Sovrano derivi interamente dalle massime di nostra S. Religione, le quali non possono mai esser soggette a verun cambiamento, desidera il suddetto Governo resti assicurato, che i Metropolitani, i Vescovi e il Clero tutto della Irlanda conoscerà sempre un tal suo stretto dovere, e lo adempirà esattamente in qualunque incontro.

From Project Gutenberg

The Duchess sat on the floor of the box reading one of them, and turning of course very rapidly over the leaves during the stretto of the "Leonora" overture.

From Project Gutenberg