sordino

[ sawr-dee-noh; Italian sawr-dee-naw ]

noun

, Music.

, plural sor·di·ni [sawr-, dee, -nee, saw, r, -, dee, -nee].

1. mute ( def 10 ).

sordino

/ sɔːˈdiːnəʊ /

noun

1. a mute for a stringed or brass musical instrument
2. any of the dampers that arrest the vibrations of piano strings
3. con sordino or con sordini
   a musical direction to play with a mute
4. senza sordino or senza sordini
   a musical direction to remove or play without the mute or (on the piano) with the sustaining pedal pressed down

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordino¹

1795–1805; < Italian: a mute, equivalent to sordo (< Latin surdus deaf ) + -ino -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sordino¹

Italian: from sordo deaf, from Latin surdus

Example Sentences

When he wanted the pedal he wrote "senza sordini," which means without dampers, and to take them off he wrote "con sordini," meaning with dampers.

From Project Gutenberg

As they reached his ears through the heavy stone roof they were more harmonious, all harshness was softened; the sordino of the vaulting produced the effect of a muffled peal.

From Project Gutenberg

The term senza sordini is also occasionally found in old editions, indicating that the damper pedal is to be depressed, while con sordini shows that it is to be released.

From Project Gutenberg

Another modification of tone is caused by placing a tiny instrument called a sordino, or mute, upon the bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

It is announced by the horns con sordini, accompanied very softly by held notes in the strings, except viola, pizzicato in the celli, and tympani.

From Project Gutenberg