Animato

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Performed with liveliness and animated spirit, typically used as a musical direction to indicate a lively tempo
2. Characterized by a lively and spirited manner, this term indicates a performance style or tempo that is animated and energetic
3. This designation represents a lively and spirited execution in music, suggesting an upbeat and energetic tempo

Etymology: "Animato" is a musical direction, borrowed into English from Italian, where "animato" means "animated" or "lively," the past participle of "animare," to animate. Italian "animare" comes from Latin "animare," "to give life or breath to," from "anima," "breath, soul," the same root that gives English "animal," "animate," and "animus." In music, the term tells the performer to play with spirit and liveliness, and the adverb form "animato" carries that instruction into the way a passage is played. English borrowed the word for this specialised use, so its meaning stays close to the Italian: a sense of energy and life in the playing rather than anything about the breath or soul of the original Latin.