C18: from Italian, originally (gravecembalo col) piano e forte (harpsichord with) soft and loud; see piano2, forte2
pianoforte in American English
(piˈænoʊˌfɔrt; piˌænoʊˈfɔrteɪ)
noun
piano2
Word origin
It < piano e forte, lit., soft and loud: term used (c. 1710) by its inventor, B. Cristofori (1655-1731), of Padua < piano (see piano1) + forte, loud, strong (< L fortis: see fort1) from its gradation of tone in contrast with the harpsichord
Examples of 'pianoforte' in a sentence
pianoforte
Our mam's profession was teaching pianoforte so we were all expected to learn when we were nippers.
Laurie Graham MR STARLIGHT (2004)
Spending an hour with a pianoforte, or, as here, a harpsichord, always soothed her, eased the load that had always been hers.