You searched for: “sotto voce
sotto voce (SAH toh VOH chee; SAWT taw VAW che) (adverb) (not comparable)
1. Pertaining to saying something in soft tones, so as not to be overheard: Say it sotto voce, some people say, knowing full well that to shout about it would invite ridicule.
2. In music, descriptive of playing in very soft tones; used primarily as a musical direction: The piano was played sotto voce in the elegant restaurant, so as not to disturb or to interfere with the quiet conversations of the guests.
3. Etymology: from Italian, literally, "under voice", from sotto, from Latin subtus, "under, below" and voce, "voice".
Word Entries at Get Words: “sotto voce
sotto voce
In an undertone.
This entry is located in the following unit: Italian words in English (page 4)