alto

 
Pronunciation: /ˈaltəʊ/

noun (plural altos)

  • 1(especially in church music) the highest adult male singing voice (sometimes distinguished from the countertenor voice as using falsetto).
  • the lowest female singing voice; contralto.
  • a person with an alto voice.
  • a part written for an alto voice.
  • 2 [as modifier] denoting the member of a family of instruments pitched second or third highest: alto flute
  • an alto saxophone.

Derivatives

altoist

noun

Origin:

late 16th century: from Italian alto (canto) 'high (song)'