sostenuto
1 of 2adjective or adverb
so·ste·nu·to ˌsō-stə-ˈnü-(ˌ)tō 
ˌsȯ-
: sustained to or beyond the note's full value —used as a direction in music
sostenuto
2 of 2noun
plural sostenutos
: a movement or passage whose notes are markedly prolonged
Word History
Etymology
Adjective or adverb
Italian, from past participle of sostenere to sustain, from Latin sustinēre
First Known Use
Adjective Or Adverb
circa 1724, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1757, in the meaning defined above