‖ coda
(ˈkoda, ˈkəʊdə)
[Ital.:—L. cauda tail.]
1. Mus. A passage of more or less independent character introduced after the completion of the essential parts of a movement, so as to form a more definite and satisfactory conclusion. Also transf. and fig.
| 1753 in Chambers Cycl. Suppl. 1815 Europ. Mag. LXVIII. 154 The coda concludes the piece with spirit and energy. 1888 Academy 21 Jan. 51/3 In the opening allegro we have..careful elaboration, and a highly effective coda. 1889 Mrs. E. Lynn Linton Thro' Long Night i. i, The chapter of accidents has a long coda. 1908 A. Bennett Old Wives' Tale I. i. ii. 26 The cups and saucers were left for Maggie to wash up as a fitting coda to Maggie's monthly holiday. 1963 J. Wiesenfarth H. James v. 104 The coda beings in Chapter XII. |
2. Ballet. (See quot. 1952.)
| 1922 Beauclerk & Evrenov tr. Svetlov's Karsavina 33 The coda had to be altered and made easier for her. 1925 Dancing Times Feb. 521/2 In the ‘pizzicato’, ‘adagio’ and ‘coda’..she showed what dancing should be. 1952 Kersley & Sinclair Dict. Ballet Terms 37 Coda, 1. Used by critics and choreographers to indicate by relation to the music to which part of a ballet or dance they are referring. 2. The final concerted dance of a conventional pas de deux, pas de trois or pas de quatre. |
¶ The sense ‘tail of a note’ is only Italian.