rit.
|rit|
C1
/rɪt/
gradually slow the tempo
Etymology
Etymology Information
'rit.' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ritardando', where the verb 'ritardare' meant 'to delay' or 'to slow'.
Historical Evolution
'rit.' changed from the Italian musical term 'ritardando' and was adopted into musical notation as the abbreviated form 'rit.' in scores and markings during the 18th–19th centuries.
Meaning Changes
Initially it meant 'to delay or make late' in Italian; in musical usage it evolved to the specific instruction 'gradually slow the tempo'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an abbreviation (in musical notation) of ritardando: a direction to gradually slow down the tempo.
The conductor marked rit. before the final section.
Synonyms
Antonyms
accelerandoaccel.
Last updated: 2025/12/01 19:32