Gliss

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. A rapid slide through a series of adjacent musical notes ; to move smoothly from one pitch or position to another without a break
2. A quick sweeping run up or down the notes of a scale ; to pass easily and continuously across a surface or between tones
3. The musical effect of sliding swiftly through connected pitches ; to travel in a smooth, unbroken motion between notes or places

Etymology: "Gliss" is a clipped form of "glissando," a musical direction for a rapid slide up or down between two pitches, played so that every note in between is heard. The longer word came into English from Italian, where "glissando" is the gerund of "far scivolare" territory, the sense of gliding that the Italian root carries into music. Musicians shortened it to "gliss" for convenience, and the short form has since become a verb as well as a noun, so a pianist can simply be told to gliss across the keys.

Synonyms: glide, slide, slip, slither