presto
/'prestou/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb:
- At a very fast tempo (faster than allegro): Used as a musical direction to indicate that a passage should be played very quickly.
- Suddenly, quickly: Used to indicate that something happens or is done with great speed, often in a surprising or magical way.
Adjective:
- (Of tempo) very fast: Describes a piece of music or a section of music that is to be performed at a very rapid speed.
Interjection:
- A word spoken to command or signal a quick, often magical, change or result: Traditionally used by magicians when performing a trick.
Usage Examples
Adverb (Musical):
- The final movement should be played presto.
- The pianist executed the presto section with incredible skill.
Adverb (General):
- He waved his wand and, presto, the rabbit disappeared.
- Just add water, stir, and presto—you have instant soup.
Adjective:
- The symphony's presto finale was exhilarating.
- She struggled with the presto tempo of the étude.
Interjection:
- The magician shouted, "Presto!" and pulled a dove from his empty hat.
Advanced Usage
- "Hey presto": An interjection used, especially in British English, to call attention to a quick and surprising result, much like a magician's command.
- You press this button, and hey presto, the lights come on.
Variants and Related Words
- Prestissimo (adverb/adjective): A musical direction meaning "at a very fast tempo; faster than presto." This is a distinct, more extreme term, not a variant of "presto" itself.
Synonyms
- Adverb/Adjective (Musical): Very fast, rapid, quick.
- Adverb (General): Suddenly, instantly, immediately, abracadabra (in a magical context).
Related Phrases
- As an exclamation in magic: The word is often used alone or in the phrase "hey presto" to create a sense of instant transformation, closely associated with stage magic and illusion.
Adverb
- at a very fast tempo (faster than allegro)
- suddenly
- Presto! begone! 'tis here again- Swift