Mus. [It., f. appoggiare to lean upon, rest. Cf. APPUI.] A grace-note or passing tone prefixed as a support to an essential note of a melody. Also transf. A prop, a point of support.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Appoggiatura is commonly marked by a smaller kind of note.
1833. Coleridge, Table T., 289. In the latter [Nonnus, Tryphiodorus] … All the appoggiaturas of time are lost.
1875. Ouseley, Harmony, xviii. 206. Accented auxiliary notes are usually called appoggiaturas, as they are supposed to be a kind of buttress or leaning support to the note before which they are placed.
