crescendo

  1. Noun.  (music) An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ).
  2. Noun.  (figuratively) A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.
  3. Noun.  (figuratively, nonstandard) The climax of a gradual increase.
  4. Verb.  To increase in intensity, to reach or head for a crescendo.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.