crescendo

Definition

An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian crescendo, gerund of crescere (“to grow, to increase”).

Example Sentences

• "Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo."
• "Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo."
• "With the Stoke supporters jeering Ziv's every subsequent touch, the pantomime atmosphere created by the home crowd reached a crescendo when Ziv was shown a straight red shortly after the break in extraordinary circumstances."