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   crescendo

   /krɪˈʃɛndəʊ/

   noun

   • 1. the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound: "the port engine's sound rose to a crescendo"
   • ▪ a gradually increasing sound: "a crescendo of shrieks built until the entire auditorium was filled"
   • 2. the highest point reached in a progressive increase of intensity: "the hysteria reached a crescendo around the spring festival"
   • ▪ a progressive increase in intensity: "there were six months of gradual crescendo then three weeks of total mayhem"
   • 3. a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music: "each time the key changes, there is a gradual crescendo"
   • ▪ a passage of music marked or performed with a crescendo.

   adverb

   • 1. with a gradual increase in loudness: "in the upper three parts there are groups of longer notes played crescendo"

   adjective

   • 1. gradually increasing in loudness: "a short crescendo kettledrum roll"

   verb

   • 1. increase in loudness or intensity: "the reluctant cheers began to crescendo"

   Word Origin late 18th century: Italian, present participle of crescere ‘to increase’, from Latin crescere ‘grow’.

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • C

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

   • O

     1

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