alto Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef
  2. noun the lowest female singing voice
    contralto.
  3. noun the highest adult male singing voice
    countertenor.
  4. noun (of a musical instrument) the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments
  5. noun the pitch range of the lowest female voice
  6. adjective satellite of or being the lowest female voice
    contralto.
  7. adjective satellite of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor
    countertenor.
  8. adjective satellite (of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group
    • alto clarinet or recorder

WordNet

Al"to noun
Etymology
It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. Alt.
Wordforms
plural Altos
Definitions
  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.
  2. An alto singer.

Webster 1913