alto clef

noun

, Music.

1. a sign locating middle C on the third line of the staff.

alto clef

noun

1. See C clef
   the clef that establishes middle C as being on the third line of the staff Also calledviola clef See also C clef

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto clef¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Primarily (besides the bass clef), in Italy and Germany, only the tenor clef was used, and the alto clef in France.

From Project Gutenberg