‖ solfeggio, n.
(solˈfɛddʒo)
Pl. solfeggi, solfeggios.
[It., f. sol-fa sol-fa.]
An exercise for the voice, in which the sol-fa syllables are employed; † also transf., an exercise for a musical instrument.
| 1774 ‘J. Collier’ Mus. Trav. Ded. p. iv, Playing his new Solfeggi to the dying groans of the..Dantziggers. Ibid. 28 He was seated opposite to a glass practising some solfeggi on the flute. 1836 R. Furness Astrol. i. Wks. (1858) 138 For Thor loved music.., Taught the sol-feggio, Aretino's scale. 1844 Calkin & Budd Mus. Catal. 191 Solfeggios for the Voice, with an Accompaniment for the Piano Forte. 1873 M. E. Braddon Str. & Pilgr. i. vii. 83 You can't imagine I could spend half my existence in shrieking solfeggi. |
| attrib. 1867 Chamb. Encycl. IX. 480/1 The seven notes of the diatonic scale are represented by the Solfeggio syllables. 1896 Hutchinson tr. Gounod's Reminisc. 14, I easily held my place, even at that early age, in a Solfeggio class. |
Hence
solˈfeggio v. rare.
| 1831 Examiner 708/2 The verses should be spoken, and then the music solfagioed [sic]. |