English

Noun

crescendo (plural crescendos)

Etymology

Italian crescendo, gerund of crescere, to grow, to increase

1. (music) An instruction to play gradually more loudly , denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left. Abbreviation: cresc.
2. (figurative) A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.

   Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.

3. (figurative, non-standard) The climax of a gradual increase.

   Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.

Usage note

• The musical sense indicates that the figurative sense is an increase rather than the climax of the increase. The use of this word to mean the climax of an increase is non-standard but commonplace.

Antonym

• (1): diminuendo
• (3): climax, conclusion

Italian

Verb form

crescendo

1. (gerund of crescere) growing, increasing

Noun

crescendo (plural crescendi)

1. (music) crescendo
2. (figurative) crescendo