a., adv. and sb. [It. allegro, irreg. repr. of L. alácrem for álacrem, acc. of álacer brisk.]
A. adj. In orig. It. sense: Lively, gay, merry.
1632. Milton (title), L’Allegro.
B. adv. and adj. Music. Brisk, lively, quick; one of the five grades of musical pace and character, being the quickest except presto. Used advb. in directions as ‘to be taken allegro,’ and adject. as ‘allegro time.’
1721. Bailey, Allegro, a Term in Musick when the Movement is quick.
Hence, C. sb. A movement in allegro time.
1777[?]. J. Skinner, Tullochg. Their allegros and a’ the rest, They canna please a Scottish taste, Compared wi’ Tullochgorum.
1875. Ouseley, Mus. Form, xi. 52. The first movement of a symphony is usually an allegro, a tolerably brisk piece.
