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crescendo definition

cre·scendo (kri s̸hen′dō′)

adjective, adverb

with a gradual increase in loudness: often used as a musical direction, indicated by the sign 

Etymology: It, ger. of crescere: see crescent

noun pl. crescendos -·dos′

  1. Music
    1. a gradual increase in loudness
    2. a crescendo passage
  2. any gradual increase in force, intensity, etc.

intransitive verb crescendoed -·doed′, crescendoing -·do′·ing

to increase gradually in loudness or intensity

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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