alto

Where does the word "alto" come from? It comes from Italian alto, and was adopted directly into English (1780s).

Alto’s story begins in Italian: alto meant “high.” Literally high, describing the higher of the low vocal ranges. It reached English by 1780s as alto. Italian 'high', because it was originally the male voice above the tenor. Today, alto means the lowest female or highest male singing voice, or an instrument of similar range.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · 1500s alto "high", literally high, describing the higher of the low vocal ranges.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1780s alto "a low female or high male singing voice", Italian 'high', because it was originally the male voice above the tenor.