staccato
Consisting of short, detached, and separate sounds or movements. / Performed in a short, detached manner. / A style of musical performance where notes are shortened and separated.
AdjectiveAdverb[C/U] Both
pl: staccatos
This term conveys a sense of abruptness and precision. It suggests a rhythmic pattern where there is a clear, intentional gap of silence between each beat or action, creating a jagged or percussive feeling rather than a smooth, flowing one.
Countable when referring to a specific musical passage or a single instance of a detached sound. Uncountable when describing the general quality or style of a performance.