Alt
/ɔːlt/noun
A high note or the lower range of a voice or instrument, especially in music.
Did you know?In music, the word is tied to Latin *altus*, meaning both “high” and “deep” — a classic example of how ancient languages could make one root hold opposite vertical meanings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*al-
“to grow, nourish”
Latin
Latin
altus
“high, deep, tall; grown high”
Medieval Latin
Latin
altus
“the higher vocal part”
Italian
Italian
alto
“high; the high voice part in music”
English
English
alt
“the lower female or male voice part above tenor; a high musical range”