‖ alto-
(ˈɑːltəʊ, æ-)
It., = high-, used in various comb.
1. Mus. as alto-clarinet, -fagotto, -viola, musical instruments similar to, but higher in pitch than, the clarinet, fagotto, viola. See also alto a.
| 1856 Berlioz Instrument. 114 The alto-clarinet is no other than a clarinet in F or in E♭. 1802 Rees Cycl. s.v., Alto viola, the tenor violin, in opposition to the bass viol. |
2. Sculpture. (See alto-relievo.)