piano
UK[piˈænəʊ]US[piˈænoʊ]
n
a large musical instrument played by pressing black and white keys on a keyboard, causing hammers to strike strings
n
a musical direction meaning to be played softly
Etymology
the word 'piano' is a shortened form of the italian term 'pianoforte', which itself is a compound of 'piano e forte', meaning 'soft and loud'. this name was given to the instrument in the early 18th century by its inventor, bartolomeo cristofori, to highlight its revolutionary capability to produce both quiet and loud sounds depending on the force applied to the keys, unlike its predecessors. the term entered english in the 19th century, initially referring to the full name 'pianoforte' before being abbreviated to the now-standard 'piano'. the italian 'piano' derives from the latin 'planus', meaning 'flat, level, or soft', which connects to the concept of a soft sound.
Analysis
the word is a loanword from italian and is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in english.
Examples
she has been taking piano lessons since she was five years old.
the quiet passage in the sonata is marked piano.
the old piano in the corner of the room was slightly out of tune.