sordino
/sɔrˈdinoʊ/
noun
- A mute for a musical instrument, especially a string instrument; often used in the Italian musical direction 'con sordino' (with mute) or 'senza sordino' (without mute).
- He played the passage senza sordino, letting the full, bright sound ring out.
- The score indicated 'con sordino' for the violins, so they attached their mutes.
- The pianist used the sordino pedal to create a softer, more distant effect.