alto (redirected from altos)

alto, singing voice the range of which is lower than the soprano by the interval of a fifth. More generally, the term refers to the register in which this voice sings, i.e., the second highest part in a four-part musical texture, and to instruments utilizing this register. See countertenor.

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alto

 or contralto

Voice or register that extends approximately from the F below middle C to the second D above it. The second-highest part in four-part music, it is normally sung by women. The name derives from contratenor altus, the part above the tenor part. It is used for some instruments that play principally in the alto range (alto saxophone, alto flute, etc.). See also countertenor.

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Alto

The desktop computer from Xerox that pioneered the mouse/icon/desktop environment. Developed at PARC, it was the progenitor of Xerox's Star and Apple's Lisa and Mac. Designed in 1973 with 128K RAM, 608x808 screen, 2.5MB removable hard disk and built-in Ethernet. About 1,000 Altos were in use by 1979.

Alto Computer

The first graphical user interface created for business purposes was working more than 10 years before the Macintosh was introduced. (Image courtesy of Palo Alto Research Center.)

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alto

1. the highest adult male voice; countertenor

2. (in choral singing) a shortened form of contralto

3. a singer with such a voice

4. another name for viola

5. a flute, saxophone, etc., that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

6. denoting a flute, saxophone, etc., that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

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alto [′al·tō]

(graphic arts)

The negative which is electrodeposited during the preparation of plates for printing currency.