arpeggio

Where does the word "arpeggio" come from? It comes from Italian arpa, passing through Italian before entering English (1740s).

Arpeggio’s story begins in Italian: arpa meant “harp.” A harp. Within Italian, it grew into arpeggio by 1600s. From 'arpeggiare', to play on a harp, spreading a chord's notes. It reached English by 1740s as arpeggio. Taken into English musical terminology. Today, arpeggio means the notes of a chord played in rapid succession.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · medieval arpa "harp", a harp.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1600s arpeggio "harp-like playing", from 'arpeggiare', to play on a harp, spreading a chord's notes.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1740s arpeggio "broken chord", taken into English musical terminology.