What does volti mean?
Volti is the plural form of volta, a musical term for a unit or section of a composition. In works such as sonatas and other Baroque forms, volti often identify substantial passages that are heard twice, although a volta need not always be repeated and its treatment varies by context. The word therefore belongs chiefly to discussions of musical structure, score markings, and performance rather than everyday speech. A writer might refer to the two volti as contrasting with one another or note that a performer repeated them before reaching the coda. Volti should not be confused with volts, the standard plural of the electrical unit volt. Although voltas is also used as a plural, volti preserves a form familiar from Italian musical terminology and immediately signals a musical context. Its Latin ancestry, through the Italian word for “turn,” also connects it with words such as revolt, revolution, and vortex.
nounThe plural of volta. In music, a volta is a unit or section of a composition, often one of a pair that is repeated.
- The plural of volta, especially a unit or section of a musical composition.
"The players repeated the two volti before moving into the coda."
"The players repeated the two volti before moving into the coda."
"The analyst traced the ritornello through the first and second volti."
The standard plural of volta in musical usage; voltas is also accepted. The standard plural of the electrical unit volt is volts.
"The ritornello returns across the final two volti."
From Italian for “turns,” volti names the repeated passages that help give much Baroque music its expansive, dance-like shape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of volti
English volta was borrowed from Italian volta, meaning “turn,” ultimately from Latin volvere, “to turn.” The plural volti follows the Italian plural form, while voltas also became established in English. Related English words include revolt, revolution, and vortex, all of which continue the Latin root through different languages and historical developments.
How volti is actually used
Volti is the standard musical plural of volta, although voltas is also accepted. It is uncommon outside discussions of musical form and performance. It is not the usual plural of the electrical unit volt, which is volts.
Easily confused with volti
Volta is the singular term for a musical unit or section, while volti is its plural.