资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Piano \Pi*an"o\, Pianoforte \Pi*an"o*for`te\, n. [It. piano soft
   (fr. L. planus even, smooth; see {Plain}, a.) + It. forte
   strong, fr. L. fortis (see {Fort}).] (Mus.)
   A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the
   harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated
   length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by
   keys.

   {Dumb piano}. See {Digitorium}.

   {Grand piano}. See under {Grand}.

   {Square piano}, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong
      case.

   {Upright piano}, one with an upright frame and vertical
      wires.



   {Grand paunch}, a glutton or gourmand. [Obs.] --Holland.

   {Grand pensionary}. See under {Pensionary}.

   {Grand piano} (Mus.), a large piano, usually harp-shaped, in
      which the wires or strings are generally triplicated,
      increasing the power, and all the mechanism is introduced
      in the most effective manner, regardless of the size of
      the instrument.

   {Grand relief} (Sculp.), alto relievo.

   {Grand Seignior}. See under {Seignior}.

   {Grand stand}, the principal stand, or erection for
      spectators, at a, race course, etc.

   {Grand vicar} (Eccl.), a principal vicar; an ecclesiastical
      delegate in France.

   {Grand vizier}. See under {Vizier}.

   Syn: Magnificent; sublime; majestic; dignified; elevated;
        stately; august; pompous; lofty; eralted; noble.

   Usage: Grand, Magnificent, Sublime. Grand, in reference to
          objects of taste, is applied to that which expands the
          mind by a sense of vastness and majesty; magnificent
          is applied to anything which is imposing from its
          splendor; sublime describes that which is awful and
          elevating. A cataract is grand; a rich and varied
          landscape is magnificent; an overhanging precipice is
          sublime. ``Grandeur admits of degrees and
          modifications; but magnificence is that which has
          already reached the highest degree of superiority
          naturally belonging to the object in question.''
          --Crabb.

资料来源 : WordNet®

grand piano
     n : a piano with the strings on a harp-shaped frame; usually
         supported by 3 legs [syn: {grand}]