sotto voce

[ sot-oh voh-chee; Italian sawt-taw vaw-che ]

adverb

1. in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.

sotto voce

/ ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. in an undertone

Word History and Origins

Origin of sotto voce¹

First recorded in 1730–40; from Italian adverb sottovoce, “in a low voice,” from sotto “under” + voce “voice” ( voice ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sotto voce¹

C18: from Italian: under (one's) voice