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Alto

2 stages from Italian to English.

Today it means the lowest female or highest male singing voice, or an instrument of similar range
1
Stage 1 of 2
alto
Italian · 1500s
"high"
literally high, describing the higher of the low vocal ranges
2
Stage 2 of 2
alto
English · 1780s
"a low female or high male singing voice"
adopted directly for the lower female or higher male vocal range
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