staccato

1. (music) An articulation marking directing that a note or passage of notes are to be played in an abruptly disconnected manner, with each note sounding for a very short duration, and a short break lasting until the sounding of the next note; as opposed to legato. Staccato is indicated by a dot directly above or below the notehead.

2. (music) A passage having this mark.

3. (figurative) Any sound resembling a musical staccato.Examples: "According to the syllable-timed hypothesis, Spanish syllables as staccato."; "The tumultuous noise resolved itself now into the disorderly mingling of many voices, the gride of many wheels, the creaking of waggons, and the staccato of hoofs."figuratively