alto



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [It. See Viol.] (Mus.)
   An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but
   larger, and a fifth lower in compass.
   [1913 Webster]

   Viola da braccio [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol,
      or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is
      written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the
      alto.

   Viola da gamba [It., viol for the leg], an instrument
      resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the
      knees. It is now rarely used.

   Viola da spalla [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument
      formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in
      size between the viola and the viola da gamba.

   Viola di amore [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a
      viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon,
      and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These,
      sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a
      peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
      [1913 Webster]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Alto \Al"to\, n.; pl. Altos. [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf.
   Alt.]
   1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or
      counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest
      female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and
      soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. An alto singer.
      [1913 Webster]

   Alto clef (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef,
      placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of
      the staff. --Moore.
      [1913 Webster]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


high-pitched \high-pitched\ adj.
   1. high in pitch or frequency; -- used of sounds and voices.
      Opposite of low. [Narrower terms: {adenoidal, pinched,
      nasal}; altissimo; alto; countertenor, alto;
      falsetto; peaky, spiky; piping; shrill, sharp;
      screaky, screechy, squeaking, squeaky, squealing;
      soprano, treble; sopranino; tenor]

   Syn: high.
        [WordNet 1.5]

   2. set at a sharp or high angle or slant; as, a high-pitched
      roof.

   Syn: steeply pitched, steep.
        [WordNet 1.5] high-power














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