ru|ba|to

ru|ba|to «roo BAH toh», adjective, noun, plural -tos, -ti «-tee». Music.

–adj.

having certain notes of a measure or phrase lengthened or shortened for the purpose of expression or individual interpretation.

–n.

a rubato tempo or passage: »

He is acquainted with most of the traditional rubati of the Johann Strauss style (Winthrop Sargeant).

╂[< Italian (tempo) rubato (literally) robbed (time), past participle of rubare to rob]