See also: mezzo-

English edit

Etymology edit

Clipping of mezzo-soprano

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

mezzo (plural mezzos)

  1. (music) mezzo-soprano
    • 1983 January 2, John Rockwell, “New Opera May Have a Future After All”, in The New York Times:
      Emily Golden, a mezzo who was adept in an especially wide range of roles;

Related terms edit

French edit

Etymology edit

Shortened form of Italian mezzosoprano.

Noun edit

mezzo f (plural mezzos)

  1. mezzo, mezzo-soprano

Further reading edit

Italian edit

Etymology 1 edit

From Latin medius, whence also Italian medio (a borrowed doublet).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

mezzo m (plural mezzi)

  1. half, middle
  2. means, method
  3. vehicle

Adjective edit

mezzo (feminine mezza, masculine plural mezzi, feminine plural mezze)

  1. half
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit

Etymology 2 edit

Inherited from Latin mītius (rather/too mild, mellow, comparative neuter singular of mītis (mild)).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

mezzo (feminine mezza, masculine plural mezzi, feminine plural mezze)

  1. overripe (of fruit)
  2. drenched (soaking wet)
  3. soft, flabby

References edit

  1. ^ mezzo in Luciano Canepari, Dizionario di Pronuncia Italiana (DiPI)

Further reading edit

Anagrams edit