Which term means 'broken down, crushed; the sounding of notes not quite simultaneously'?

Which term means 'broken down, crushed; the sounding of notes not quite simultaneously'?

• A. Abafando
• B. Abbandonatamente
• C. Acciaccato
• D. Agnus Dei

Answer: (C)

Acciaccato describes notes played in a crushed, quick fashion where the tones are almost together but not exactly simultaneous. The idea is a sudden, percussive bite—like the notes break slightly as they sound, producing a briefly separated, yet connected effect. The term comes from Italian acciaccare, meaning to crush, which captures this exact feel. This is distinct from other terms: Agnus Dei is a liturgical text, not a performance marking, and the other options aren’t standard Italian musical terms for articulation, so they don’t convey the crushed, not-quite-simultaneous sound described.

Acciaccato describes notes played in a crushed, quick fashion where the tones are almost together but not exactly simultaneous. The idea is a sudden, percussive bite—like the notes break slightly as they sound, producing a briefly separated, yet connected effect. The term comes from Italian acciaccare, meaning to crush, which captures this exact feel.

This is distinct from other terms: Agnus Dei is a liturgical text, not a performance marking, and the other options aren’t standard Italian musical terms for articulation, so they don’t convey the crushed, not-quite-simultaneous sound described.