ri|te|nu|to

ri|te|nu|to «_REE tuh NOO toh», adjective, adverb, noun, plural -tos, -ti «-tee». Music.

–adj., adv.

becoming suddenly slower.

–n.

a sudden decrease of speed.

╂[< Italian ritenuto, past participle of ritenere to hold back, retain < Latin retinēre]