PIANOFORTE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pianoforte mean? 

• PIANOFORTE (noun)
  The noun PIANOFORTE has 1 sense:

1. a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

  Familiarity information: PIANOFORTE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PIANOFORTE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

forte-piano; piano; pianoforte

Hypernyms ("pianoforte" is a kind of...):

keyboard instrument (a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard)

percussion instrument; percussive instrument (a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another)

stringed instrument (a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound)

Meronyms (parts of "pianoforte"):

fall-board; fallboard (the hinged protective covering that protects the keyboard of a piano when it is not being played)

keyboard (device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like)

piano action (action consisting of a system of levers that move a felt hammer to strike the strings when a key is depressed)

clavier; fingerboard; piano keyboard (a bank of keys on a musical instrument)

soft pedal (a pedal on a piano that moves the action closer to the strings and so soften the sound)

soundboard; sounding board ((music) resonator consisting of a thin board whose vibrations reinforce the sound of the instrument)

loud pedal; sustaining pedal (a pedal on a piano that lifts the dampers from the strings and so allows them to continue vibrating)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pianoforte"):

grand; grand piano (a piano with the strings on a horizontal harp-shaped frame; usually supported by three legs)

mechanical piano; Pianola; player piano (a mechanically operated piano that uses a roll of perforated paper to activate the keys)

upright; upright piano (a piano with a vertical sounding board)

 Context examples 

He took some music from a chair near the pianoforte, and turning to Emma, said, Here is something quite new to me.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“There is no sacrifice in the case,” replied Edmund, with a serious smile, and glancing at the pianoforte again; “it is entirely her own doing.”

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Her sister had not the smallest objection, and the pianoforte was opened; and Darcy, after a few moments' recollection, was not sorry for it.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She spent whole hours at the pianoforte alternately singing and crying; her voice often totally suspended by her tears.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

So far her improvement was sufficient—and in many other points she came on exceedingly well; for though she could not write sonnets, she brought herself to read them; and though there seemed no chance of her throwing a whole party into raptures by a prelude on the pianoforte, of her own composition, she could listen to other people's performance with very little fatigue.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“This present from the Campbells,” said she—“this pianoforte is very kindly given.”

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

It chiefly consisted of household linen, plate, china, and books, with a handsome pianoforte of Marianne's.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Two play on the pianoforte, and one on the harp; and all sing, or would sing if they were taught, or sing all the better for not being taught; or something like it.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Miss Woodhouse and Miss Smith; so kind as to call to hear the new pianoforte.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)