continuato

Continuato is an Italian term that generally means "continued" or "ongoing." It is formed from the verb continuare and serves as the past participle continuato. In ordinary Italian, it appears as an adjective describing duration or persistence, as in rumore continuato (continuous noise) or una linea continuato (a sustained line).

Etymologically, continuato derives from continuo, itself from Latin continuus meaning uninterrupted. In Italian, the ending -ato marks the past participle used adjectivally, allowing continuato to describe states or actions that persist over time.

In everyday language, continuato functions primarily as an ordinary adjective or participial form, signaling duration or repetition in descriptive contexts. It is less common in colloquial speech than the simpler continuativo or continuo, but it remains correct and recognizable in formal writing and used in certain fixed phrases.

In music, continuato (often written as continuo) has a specialized technical meaning. It refers to the continuous harmonic underpinning of a Baroque ensemble, typically realized by a keyboard instrument such as a harpsichord or organ paired with a bass instrument like a cello or double bass. The continuo provides the ongoing bass and chords that support the melodic lines and is a central feature of the basso continuo texture. In Italian musicology, continuato or basso continuo may be used to designate this continuous accompaniment part.

Summary: continuato is a versatile Italian term meaning ongoing or continued, with a notable historical usage in music to denote the performers providing continuous harmonic support.