staccato- [stuh-kah-toh]-adj.- characterized by performance in which the notes are abruptly disconnected. Student is also able to respond to legato and staccato markings.
canaille- [kuh-neyl]-noun- riffraff; rabble. The Nice seaport used to be full of canaille.
caesar- [see-zer]-noun - a title of the Roman emperors from Augustus to Hadrian, and later of the heirs presumptive. Caesar was an emperor and military leader.
Puccini- [poo-chee-nee]-noun- 1858–1924, Italian operatic composer, Giacomo. Puccini composed the following operas: La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Turandot.
a cappella- [ah-kuh-pel-uh; Italian ah-kahp-pel-lah]-adverb-Music- without instrumental accompaniment. Singing a cappella is done outside of church now too.
ballot- [bal-uh t]-noun- a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his or her vote. The popular politician had been nominated on the ninth ballot as his party's candidate.
confetti- [kuhn-fet-ee]-plural noun- small bits of paper, usually colored, thrown or dropped from a height to enhance the gaiety of a festive event, as a parade, wedding, or New Year's Eve party. The champagne's been guzzled, the confetti swept, and the golden statuettes taken home to adorn the winners' mantelpieces.
semolina- [sem-uh-lee-nuh]-noun- a granular, milled product of durum wheat, consisting almost entirely of endosperm particles, used chiefly in the making of pasta. Durum wheat or macaroni wheat is also widely used for preparing pasta and semolina.
influenza- [in-floo-en-zuh]-noun- Pathology- an acute, commonly epidemic disease, occurring in several forms, caused by numerous rapidly mutating viral strains and characterized by respiratory symptoms and general prostration. The influenza vaccine is quickly losing its reputation as an effective way to ward off the virus in the elderly.
cavalry- [kav-uh l-ree]-noun-Military- the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback. At an early hour this morning the cavalry corps again moved forward.
piazza- [pee-az-uh, -ah-zuh; pee-at-suh, -aht-]-noun- an open square or public place in a city or town, especially in Italy. The remains of the monumental complex are beneath piazza duomo.
cadenza- [kuh-den-zuh]-noun-Music- an elaborate flourish or showy solo passage, sometimes improvised, introduced near the end of an aria or a movement of a concerto. Then comes a transitional clarinet cadenza that evolves into scurrying riffs and runs.
pistachio- [pi-stash-ee-oh, -stah-shee-oh]-noun- the nut of a Eurasian tree, Pistacia vera, of the cashew family, containing an edible, greenish kernel. Her lush candies come in several flavors: milk chocolate, white chocolate, coconut and pistachio.
spinet- [spin-it]-noun- a small upright piano. She dreamed of trading her spinet for a baby grand piano.
cantata- [kuh n-tah-tuh]-noun- a choral composition, either sacred and resembling a short oratorio or secular, as a lyric drama set to music but not to be acted. One library will commission a cantata using text from the novel as lyrics.
incognito-[in-kog-nee-toh, in-kog-ni-toh]-adverb- with the real identity concealed. He showed up at the games incognito and stayed in makeshift barracks.
vendetta- [ven-det-uh]-noun- a private feud in which the members of the family of a murdered person seek to avenge the murder by killing the slayer or one of the slayer's relatives, especially such vengeance as once practiced in Corsica and parts of Italy. Once again, a national conflict's reduced to personal vendetta.
contraband- [kon-truh-band]-noun- anything prohibited by law from being imported or exported. You've probably seen dogs working security at airports, sniffing for drugs, bombs and contraband food.
mascara- [ma-skar-uh]-noun- a substance used as a cosmetic to color the eyelashes and eyebrows. Mascara is something that is used on the eyelashes to enhance them such as thickening or lengthening.
graffiti- [gruh-fee-tee]-noun- markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like. These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's decline.
credenza- [kri-den-zuh]-noun- a sideboard or buffet, especially one without legs. By tradition, food to be tested before it was served to the ruler was set on a sideboard, or credenza.
parapet- [par-uh-pit, -pet]-noun-Fortification- a defensive wall or elevation, as of earth or stone, in a fortification. Its parapet and ditch are each twenty feet in width.
falsetto- [fawl-set-oh]-noun- an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice or register, especially in a man. His lower register is unexpectedly resonant, and his falsetto sweetly poignant.
ditto- [dit-oh]-noun- the aforesaid; the above; the same (used in accounts, lists, etc., to avoid repetition). Abbreviation: do. Symbol: To practice medicine, medical school is essential; ditto for law.
provolone- [proh-vuh-loh-nee]-noun- a mellow light-colored, Italian cheese, usually smoked after drying. Starters include shrimp basket with fries, breaded cauliflower and provolone sticks.
extravaganza- [ik-strav-uh-gan-zuh]-noun- any lavish or opulent show, event, assemblage, etc. There was an extravaganza of new housewares on the twelfth floor.
scampi- [skam-pee, skahm-]-noun-Italian Cookery- a dish of shrimp or prawns grilled or sautéed in oil or butter and garlic. My favorite way to eat it is with shrimp scampi and asparagus tossed in.
belladonna- [bel-uh-don-uh]-noun- Pharmacology- a drug from the leaves and root of this plant, containing atropine and related alkaloids: used in medicine to check secretions and spasms, to relieve pain or dizziness, and as a cardiac and respiratory stimulant. Belladonna has been used for cosmetics, medicine, recreational drugs and as a poison.
gondola- [gon-dl-uh]-noun- an enclosed cabin suspended from an overhead cable, used to transport passengers up and down a ski slope or over scenic or treacherous terrain. When viewed from the gondola the slopes often looked practically empty.
rotunda- [roh-tuhn-duh]-noun- a large and high circular hall or room in a building, especially one surmounted by a dome. Note the stenciling and the four murals on the interior's rotunda.
cauliflower- [kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee-]-noun- a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head. Kraft is sneaking freeze-dried cauliflower powder into its macaroni and cheese.
galleria- [gal-uh-ree-uh]-noun- a spacious passageway, court, or indoor mall, usually with a vaulted roof and lined with commercial establishments. A galleria is a spacious passageway, court, or indoor mall, usually with a vaulted roof.
regatta- [ri-gat-uh, -gah-tuh]-noun- an organized series of races of yachts, rowing boats, etc. The term regatta may describe either a rowing race or sailing race, however it is not usually used to describe a race between powerboats.
crescendo- [kri-shen-doh, -sen-doh]--noun-Music- a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force. Voices rise in crescendo, chanting for the regime to fall.
balcony- [bal-kuh-nee]-noun- a balustraded or railed elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building. If you live in a city, you might have a window box or a pot of tomatoes on your balcony.
portfolio- [pawrt-foh-lee-oh, pohrt-]-noun- the total holdings of the securities, commercial paper, etc., of a financial institution or private investor. We used the line of credit from our homes and a portfolio of real estate investments and other holdings to finance the purchase.
antipasto- [an-ti-pah-stoh, -pas-toh]-noun-Italian Cookery- a course of appetizers consisting of an assortment of foods, as olives, anchovies, sliced sausage, peppers, and artichoke hearts. The chapters follow the course of a meal, from antipasto to dessert.
libretto- [li-bret-oh]-noun- the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition.
Among the plays are sketches, full-length comedies and dramas, and a libretto.
virtuoso- [vur-choo-oh-soh]-noun- a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field. Their message was a liberating one: you didn't have to be a virtuoso to make music.
harmonica- [hahr-mon-i-kuh]-noun- Also called mouth organ. a musical wind instrument consisting of a small rectangular case containing a set of metal reeds connected to a row of holes, over which the player places the mouth and exhales and inhales to produce the tones. He also developed proficiency with the harmonica but was always a self-accompanied musician.
maestro- [mahy-stroh]-noun- an eminent composer, teacher, or conductor of music. Sturges' symphonic gent is not the conventional maestro.
bravura- [bruh-vyoor-uh, -voor-uh]-noun- Music-a florid passage or piece requiring great skill and spirit in the performer. The melody is a bravura showpiece for any singer.
fresco- [fres-koh]-noun- the art or technique of painting on a moist, plaster surface with colors ground up in water or a limewater mixture. Shades of a cobalt blue fresco can be found above the stepped altar.
stucco- [stuhk-oh]-verb- to cover or ornament with stucco. They wanted to stucco their house with a taupe color
inferno- [in-fur-noh]- a place or region that resembles @#!*% . The ironworks was an inferno of molten steel and half-naked bodies.
ballerina- [bal-uh-ree-nuh]-noun- any female ballet dancer. When you open the box the music plays and the ballerina starts to dance.
malaria- [muh-lair-ee-uh]-noun- Pathology-any of a group of diseases, usually intermittent or remittent, characterized by attacks of chills, fever, and sweating: formerly supposed to be due to swamp exhalations but now known to be caused by a parasitic protozoan, which is transferred to the human bloodstream by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles and which occupies and destroys red blood cells. Doctors estimate more than a million people die of malaria each year.
grotto- [grot-oh]-noun- a cave or cavern; subterranean passage, chamber. Stroll by the fishpond and forest grotto to take in every bit of the calming nature.
harpsichord- [hahrp-si-kawrd]-noun- a keyboard instrument, precursor of the piano, in which the strings are plucked by leather or quill points connected with the keys, in common use from the 16th to the 18th century, and revived in the 20th. In addition, he plays the harpsichord for relaxation.
allegro- [uh-ley-groh, uh-leg-roh]-adj.- brisk or rapid in tempo. It slides effortlessly from allegro to adagio, the pace quickening and slowing with each turn.
virtuosa- [vur-choo-oh-suh]-noun- a female virtuoso; a woman with exceptional talent or skill, especially in music. She was virtuosa violinist who had been a child prodigy.
spaghetti- [spuh-get-ee]-noun- a white, starchy pasta of Italian origin that is made in the form of long strings, boiled, and served with any of a variety of meat, tomato, or other sauces. Whole wheat spaghetti and sauce is a good, healthy dinner.
piccolo- [pik-uh-loh]-noun- a small flute sounding an octave higher than the ordinary flute. The piccolo is a small flute commonly used in western orchestras.
ravioli- [rav-ee-oh-lee, rah-vee-]-noun- small cases of pasta, often square, stuffed with a filling, usually of meat or cheese, and often served with a tomato sauce. More than a dozen pastas are offered, including lobster ravioli and homemade gnocchi.
vibrato- [vi-brah-toh, vahy-]-noun- a pulsating effect, produced in singing by the rapid reiteration of emphasis on a tone, and on bowed instruments by a rapid change of pitch corresponding to the vocal tremolo. He says she needed to slow it down to emphasize her vibrato.
pesto- [pes-toh]-noun-Italian Cookery- a sauce typically made with basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and grated Parmesan blended together and served hot or cold over pasta, fish, or meat. House specialties include pasta with pesto sauce, tomato-cream sauce and a vegetable pasta.
aria- [ahr-ee-uh, air-ee-uh]-noun- an elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio. If you've never tried to sing an opera aria, try it, and try to make your voice sound like a pro.
bambino- [bam-bee-noh, bahm-]-noun- a small child or baby. Bambino is Italian for "baby" or "infant" of either sex.
salami- [suh-lah-mee]-noun- a kind of sausage, originally Italian, often flavored with garlic. Deli owners prepare to send tons of salami to troops.
Parmesan- [pahr-muh-zahn, -zan, -zuh n; pahr-muh-zahn, -zan]-noun- Also called Parmesan cheese. a hard, dry variety of Italian cheese made from skim milk, usually grated and sprinkled over pasta dishes and soups; from Parma, in northern Italy. Parmesan is a kind of cheese generally used in cooking and restaurants to go on top or inside the dish.
oratorio- [awr-uh-tawr-ee-oh, -tohr-, or-]-noun- an extended musical composition with a text more or less dramatic in character and usually based upon a religious theme, for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, and performed without action, costume, or scenery. Thenceforth, she made her career as a recitalist and an oratorio singer.
gnocchi- [nok-ee, noh-kee]-noun-Italian Cookery- a dish of little dumplings made from potatoes, semolina, flour, or a combination of these ingredients. Many restaurants make their own gnocchi, a pasta that combines flour and potatoes.
finale- [fi-nal-ee, -nah-lee]-noun- the concluding part of any performance, course of proceedings, etc.; end. The fireworks were absolutely gorgeous, and the finale was quite dramatic.
scenario- [si-nair-ee-oh, -nahr-]-noun- an outline of the plot of a dramatic work, giving particulars as to the scenes, characters, situations, etc. Lastly, please don't focus solely on the examples in each scenario.
contrapuntal- [kon-truh-puhn-tl]-adj.-Music- composed of two or more relatively independent melodies sounded together. On cue, they squat, then hop up and down in contrapuntal rhythm.
illuminati- [ih-loo-muh-nah-tee, -ney-tahy]-noun- persons possessing, or claiming to possess, superior enlightenment. Not that it would have helped him get information from those cryptic illuminati.
concerto- [kuh n-cher-toh]-noun- a composition for one or more principal instruments, with orchestral accompaniment, now usually in symphonic form. The concerto alternated between evocative dreaminess and bright good humor.
macaroni- [mak-uh-roh-nee]-noun- small, tubular pasta prepared from wheat flour. He stops to ponder the buffet, to get a good whiff of the fried chicken and the macaroni and cheese.
palmetto- [pal-met-oh, pahl-, pah-met-oh]-noun- any of various palms having fan-shaped leaves, as of the genera Sabal, Serenoa, and Thrinax. Low flames blacken palmetto and gallberry undergrowth, and a
few trees smoke.
bandit- [ban-dit]-noun- a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band. The bandit typically enters the bank and presents a demand note for cash.
fiasco- [fee-as-koh]-noun- a complete and ignominious failure. Even this fiasco did not seriously damage the company's strength.
cameo- [kam-ee-oh]-noun- a technique of engraving upon a gem or other stone, as onyx, in such a way that an underlying stone of one color is exposed as a background for a low-relief design of another color. In my time a cameo set in pearls was thought sufficient.
sonata- [suh-nah-tuh]-noun- Music- a composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four movements in contrasted forms and keys. Beethovan would tell you that a sonata is a beautiful musical composition.
coloratura- [kuhl-er-uh-toor-uh, -tyoor-uh, kol-, kohl-]-noun- runs, trills, and other florid decorations in vocal music. It's pure coloratura sparkled through her early arias, drawing bursts of applause.
Challenge Words
scherzo- [skert-soh]-noun-Music- a movement or passage of light or playful character, especially as the second or third movement of a sonata or a symphony. A scherzo is a fast, rushing movement in triple meter used by Beethoven instead of a minuet.
adagio- [uh-dah-joh, -zhee-oh]-adverb- Music-in a leisurely manner; slowly. Adagio means 'at ease' in Italian, and denotes a slow pace, around and under 60 beats per minute.
segue- [sey-gwey, seg-wey]-verb- to make a transition from one thing to another smoothly and without interruption. The conversation segued from travel anecdotes to food.
zucchini- [zoo-kee-nee]-noun- a variety of summer squash that is shaped like a cucumber and that has a smooth, dark-green skin. We also had a little side of leftovers from the night before of zucchini and shrimp risotto.
capricious- [kuh-prish-uh s, -pree-shuh s]-adj.- subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic. He's such a capricious boss I never know how he'll react.
archipelago- [ahr-kuh-pel-uh-goh]-noun- a large group or chain of islands. About 20 typhoons and storms lash the archipelago annually.
charlatan- [shahr-luh-tn]-noun- a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skill than he or she possesses; quack. For every self-promoting charlatan, there's a true public servant.
maraschino- [mar-uh-skee-noh, -shee-]-noun- a liqueur made from marasca cherries and flavoured with the kernels, having a taste like bitter almonds. Flavor with maraschino or sherry and pour the mixture into a mould that has been wet in cold water.
paparazzo- [pah-puh-raht-soh]-noun- a freelance photographer, especially one who takes candid pictures of celebrities for publication. Investigators wonder if that something was the handlebar of a paparazzo 's motorcycle.
fantoccini- [fan-tuh-chee-nee]-noun- puppets or marionettes manipulated by strings, wires, or mechanical devices. The kids enjoyed the fantoccini show.
mozzarella- [mot-suh-rel-luh, moht-]-noun- a mild, white, semisoft Italian cheese. Place the tomatoes and mozzarella slices alternately around mix.
garibaldi- [gar-uh-bawl-dee]-noun- a brilliant orange damselfish, Hypsypops rubicundus, found off the rocky coasts of southern California. Garibaldi community profile for additional information on harbor facilities.
ocarina- [ok-uh-ree-nuh]-noun- a simple musical wind instrument shaped somewhat like an elongated egg with a mouthpiece and finger holes. The ocarina dates back more than 12,000 years, used primarily in ancient China and Meso-America.
prosciutto- [proh-shoo-toh]-noun- salted ham that has been cured by drying, always sliced paper-thin for serving. Only a tourist would pull the fat off the prosciutto.
trattoria- [trah-tuh-ree-uh]-noun- a usually inexpensive or informal restaurant or cafe specializing in Italian dishes. Dinner will be at a small trattoria on a side street far from the tourist attractions.
vivace- [vi-vah-chey]-adverb- (a musical direction) vivacious; lively. If picking the load up was executed with allegro, then the off-load is an exercise in vivace and meticulousness.
cappelletti- [kap-uh-let-ee]-noun- small pieces of pasta filled with meat or cheese. Cappelletti or tortellini dry can be served in broth with either with meat sauce, butter or cream sauce.
pizzicato- [pit-si-kah-toh]-adj.- played by plucking the strings with the finger instead of using the bow, as on a violin. The pizzicato style varies between different players and genres.
intaglio- [in-tal-yoh, -tahl-]-noun- incised carving, as opposed to carving in relief; ornamentation with a figure or design sunk below the surface. Archeological resources include petroglyphs, lithic scatters and an intaglio.
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