fermata - n., (music) the prolongation of a note or rest beyond its indicated time value; the symbol
placed over a note or rest that indicates this.
Like most musical terms, from Italian meaning stop, pause, from the past participle of fermare, to stop, from Latin firmÄre, to make firm. The sign can mean other things outside of music, of course, but isn't called a fermata then.
---L.
placed over a note or rest that indicates this.Like most musical terms, from Italian meaning stop, pause, from the past participle of fermare, to stop, from Latin firmÄre, to make firm. The sign can mean other things outside of music, of course, but isn't called a fermata then.
---L.