contrabbasso

double bass

noun kon-trahb-BAHS-soh Rare

Origin: Italian contra (against/below) + basso (bass)

Also means

contrabass

Usage Note

Contrabbasso is the largest instrument in the violin family and the lowest-pitched standard orchestral string instrument. The player is called a contrabbassista. Do not confuse with basso (bass voice or bass guitar); contrabbasso is specifically the orchestral string instrument.

Examples

"Suona il contrabbasso nell'orchestra."

Natural Translation

He plays the double bass in the orchestra.

Literal Translation

He-plays the double-bass in-the orchestra.

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