appoggiature
|ap-pog-gi-a-tu-re|
🇺🇸
/əˌpɑːdʒəˈtʊrə/
🇬🇧
/əˌpɒdʒəˈtjʊərə/
(appoggiatura)
leaning (ornamental) note
Etymology
'appoggiature' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'appoggiatura', where 'appoggiare' meant 'to lean' or 'to rest (on)'.
'appoggiatura' comes from Italian 'appoggiare' (to lean), itself from Vulgar Latin formations related to Latin components meaning 'to' (ad-) and 'foot/ground' (podium/pes senses); the Italian term entered English musical vocabulary as 'appoggiatura' and is used in plural as 'appoggiature'.
Initially, the Italian root conveyed the basic idea of 'leaning' or 'resting on'; over time in musical usage it came to mean a specific kind of ornamental (leaning) note that resolves onto a principal tone.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'appoggiatura'.
The score contains several appoggiature in the slow movement.
Synonyms
Noun 2
ornamental notes (plural) that lean on a main note — a type of grace note that takes some of the time value of the principal note and resolves to a consonant tone.
In classical-era piano music, appoggiature often emphasize emotional dissonance before resolving.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/26 03:12