portamento
noun
por·ta·men·to ˌpȯr-tə-ˈmen-(ˌ)tō 
plural portamenti ˌpȯr-tə-ˈmen-(ˌ)tē
: a continuous gliding movement from one tone to another (as by the voice)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Cavatina of Opus 130 is steeped in unaffected Old World style, with throaty portamento slides from note to note. 
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2019 Varied effects of vibrato, portamento and pizzicato bring different shades of intensity, atmosphere, eloquence: Even a single austere cello line down a few tones can become fraught with significance. New York Times, 8 July 2018
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2019 Varied effects of vibrato, portamento and pizzicato bring different shades of intensity, atmosphere, eloquence: Even a single austere cello line down a few tones can become fraught with significance. New York Times, 8 July 2018 Word History
Etymology
Italian, literally, act of carrying, from portare to carry, from Latin
First Known Use
1771, in the meaning defined above
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