Mus. [ad. Ger. coloratur, or It. coloratur-a:—late L. colōrātura (Du Cange), f. colōrāre to color.] (See quot.)
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Coloratura, in the Italian music, is used to denote all sorts of variations, trillos, diminutions, &c. that can render a song agreeable.
1828–64. Webster, Colorature.
1879. in Grove, Dict. Mus., Coloratur. Vocal music coloured, that is, ornamented by runs and rapid passages or divisions, where each syllable of the words has two or more notes to it. It is what the old school called ‘figurato’—figured.
