adv. Music. [It. fortissimo, superl. of forte: see FORTE.] Very loud. (Abbreviated ff., ffor., or fortiss.) Also quasi-adj.
1724. Short Explic. For. Words in Music, 32. Fortissimo, is Extream loud.
1767. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, IX. xi. Amen, cried my father, fortissimo.
1883. Miss Braddon, Golden Calf, I. ii. 50. If their pianissimo passages failed in delicacy, there was no mistake about their fortissimo.
1889. Athenæum, 6 April, 448/3. A splendid effect being gained by the sudden entry of the combined chorus fortissimo to the words ‘Hosannah! Lord of Lords!’
