different between mezzo vs contralto

English

Etymology

Clipping of mezzo-soprano

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m?tso?/, /?m?dzo?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?ts??/, /?m?dz??/
• Hyphenation: mez?zo

Noun

mezzo (plural mezzos)

1. (music) mezzo-soprano

French

Etymology

Shortened form of Italian mezzosoprano.

Noun

mezzo f (plural mezzos)

1. mezzo, mezzo-soprano

Italian

Etymology 1

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?d.d?zo/
• Hyphenation: mèz?zo
• Rhymes: -?ddzo

Noun

mezzo m (plural mezzi)

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

Adjective

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

1. half

Derived terms

Related terms

• mezzano

Etymology 2

Inherited from Latin m?tius (“rather/too mild, mellow”, comparative neuter singular of m?tis (“mild”)).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?med.d?zo/
• Rhymes: -eddzo
• Hyphenation: méz?zo

Adjective

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

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

Anagrams

• mozze

English

Etymology

Contraction of contratenor alto, from Latin contratenor altus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?ælt??/, /k?n?t???lt??/
• Rhymes: -ælt??, -??lt??

Noun

contralto (plural contraltos or contralti)

1. (music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.

Synonyms

• alto

Coordinate terms

• (voice types): soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto (female); countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass (male)

Related terms

• contratenor altus
• alto
• tenor

Translations

Italian

Etymology

contra- +? alto.

Noun

contralto m (plural contralti)

1. contralto (female)
2. counter-tenor (male)

Derived terms

• contraltile

Portuguese

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -awtu, -altu
• Hyphenation: con?tral?to

Noun

contralto m (plural contraltos)

1. (music) contralto (voice between tenor and mezzo-soprano)
2. (music) contralto (singer with this voice)