Synonyms for presto

Grammar : Adj

Spell : pres-toh

Phonetic Transcription : ˈprɛs toʊ

Définition of presto

Origin : 1590s, "quickly," used by conjurers, etc., from Italian presto "quick, quickly" in conjuror's patter, from Latin praestus "ready," praesto (adv.) "ready, available," from prae "before" (see pre-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Cf. Latin praesto esse "to be at hand, be ready," source of French prêt "ready." As a musical direction, it is a separate borrowing from Italian, first recorded 1683.

adj quickly

Example sentences :

Suddenly a little whiff of air enters the pile, when, presto!
Extract from : « Lippincott's Magazine, September, 1885 » by Various

A presto ingeniously represents the quick movements of the stag.
Extract from : « The Standard Oratorios » by George P. Upton

A slight motion of one of my feet at this juncture, however, and, presto!
Extract from : « My Studio Neighbors » by William Hamilton Gibson

Then my success is certain; I think you'll say so when I draw the curtain, And, presto!
Extract from : « The English Spy » by Bernard Blackmantle

Then presto—the sun moves round, and my window is transformed!
Extract from : « The Story of Glass » by Sara Ware Bassett

Presto, it was done, and with a mental snap that almost blinded me.
Extract from : « Old Fogy » by James Huneker

Presto was the dog that lay under the table while we talked.
Extract from : « Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D. » by Hesther Lynch Piozzi

The orchestra struck the first notes of a thrilling waltz, and presto!
Extract from : « The Root of Evil » by Thomas Dixon

"You just waved your wand, I suppose, and said 'Presto change,'" returned the young man.
Extract from : « Jewel » by Clara Louise Burnham

Of course, no one can be at a loss to distinguish a Largo from a Presto.
Extract from : « The Orchestral Conductor » by Hector Berlioz

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019