al|to

al|to «AL toh», noun, plural -tos, adjective. Music.

–n.

1. a) the lowest woman's voice; contralto. b) the highest man's voice; countertenor.

2. a singer with such a voice.

3. a part in music for such a voice or for an instrument of similar range.

4. a) an instrument playing such a part, as a viola, recorder, or althorn. b) = althorn. (Cf. ↑althorn)

–adj.

of or for an alto; that can sing or play an alto part: »

an alto voice, an alto saxophone.

╂[< Italian alto < Latin altus high]