fermata

Plural: fermatas, fermate

Noun

• A musical symbol indicating a note or rest is held longer.
• a musical notation (over a note or chord or rest) that indicates it is to be prolonged by an unspecified amount
• (music) a prolongation of unspecified length on a note or chord or rest
• The holding of a note or rest for longer than its usual duration.
• The notation ⟨◌͒⟩ of such a prolongation, usually represented as a dot with a semi-circle above or below it, written above or below the prolonged note or rest.

Examples

• He placed FERMATA, hoping to pause his opponent’s momentum on the Words With Friends board.

Synonyms

bird's-eye, hold, ◌͒